People with Purpose have been volunteering with the River Bend Food Bank for several years now. The group helps in the food bank’s warehouse sorting through donated food, ensuring that it is safe. The group then organizes it into weighted categories that are made available to the food bank’s Agency Partners through their online order form.

“The majority of the food that is donated to us comes in hodge-podge boxes or pallets that are impossible to offer to our Agencies. The organization of that food ensures access to a variety of foods for all of our agencies, and consequently, to as many people in need as possible,” said Belinda Mielenhausen, the Director of Programs for the River Bend Food Bank.

The food bank, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, feeds people experiencing hunger by rescuing, safely storing, and distributing nutritious food through more than 400 hunger-relief partners in 23 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. River Bend Food Bank is a proud member of the Feeding America network – a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to 200 food banks across the United States.

The only way the organization can accomplish the amazing things they do is with the generous help of their volunteers and donors. To get involved at the food bank like People with Purpose, head to their website at www.riverbendfoodbank.org. There are volunteer opportunities in both their warehouse and their two community pantries. Information on organized group volunteer activities, ways to get involved with the Food and Funds Drives, and Advocacy can be found there as well.