The volunteers at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey never cease to amaze us. You arrive in good times and bad to assemble emergency meal kits, sort and repack food items, put together senior boxes, and much more. We cannot express enough how important you are to our mission as we work to end hunger in New Jersey. However, volunteering is beneficial for all parties involved, not just for CFBNJ and the people who receive the nutritious food that we all work together to distribute. As we continue to work through a level of unprecedented need caused by the economic impact of COVID-19, we need volunteers at CFBNJ.
Here’s how lending a hand for your neighbors in need can be good for you, too.
How Volunteering Benefits You
Make new friends
Opportunities to make new friends who are just as mission-driven and service-oriented as you are can be difficult to come by. When working together to tackle a problem as pervasive as hunger, you’ll meet people from all different social, professional, and educational backgrounds who are working towards the same goal as you are: to ensure that struggling New Jerseyans have enough to eat. A shared mission is a great foundation for a long-lasting friendship, especially if you see each other regularly.
Develop new skills
Helping to meet such a daunting challenge head-on opens the door to new experiences and perspectives. Volunteering with CFBNJ will help you learn the nuts and bolts of hunger in New Jersey and the ways it’s addressed. If you see a volunteer activity you’re interested in but never tried before, don’t hesitate to sign up! Volunteers receive training on premises.
Get a sense of accomplishment
In a two-hour volunteer shift at our Hillside or Egg Harbor Township location, volunteers can help feed up to 500 families. Some of those families might be right in your own neighborhood. Don’t miss an opportunity to extend a helping hand to your neighbors in need and beyond. It only takes a small time commitment in your day to make an impact!
Find new ways to apply your existing skills
Don’t want to pack up boxes? Do you spend a lot of time on social media, or doing data entry? We offer plenty of virtual volunteer opportunities at CFBNJ through our Virtual Volunteer Ambassador Project, which is perfect for those who want to use their social media savvy to a good cause. And if you’d prefer to do office work, we do have those opportunities available as well. Just indicate that that’s the work you’d like to do when you sign up to volunteer.
Reduce effects of stress and anger
Meeting people who are similarly mission-driven. Being able to help feed seniors, kids, and families in our state. Establishing meaningful connections with others. These are good ways to clear your head, and when you leave our warehouse, it’s possible you’ll find yourself more relaxed and centered than you did when you walked in the door.
Whatever brings you to CFBNJ to volunteer, we appreciate the time and effort you put into helping your community, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Learn more about volunteering at CFBNJ!