Warehouse Volunteer
Insider Info
They unload boxes from trucks, drive forklifts and haul building materials
across lumber yards. They sort through heavy crates of fruit and vegetables.
And they sift through truckloads of clothing, furniture or other donated materials.
At first glance, you might assume only the superheroes of the world are
up to the challenge of warehouse volunteering. But you don't need bulging
muscles or superhuman strength to help out. Food banks and centers that collect
donated material, such as clothing, building supplies and furniture, employ
volunteers of all shapes and sizes. And volunteers come in all ages -- from
students to seniors.
"We live by volunteers coming to help us," says Sheron Gibson. She's the
office manager at a World Vision storehouse in Dallas, Texas. "We take volunteers
from various agencies. Even senior citizens come in and volunteer to help
us."
World Vision operates 10 storehouses throughout the U.S. It collects donated
items from stores, such as clothing, computer supplies and furniture. Then
it distributes the items to shelters, schools, churches and agencies to help
Americans living in poverty.
"When we get the donations in, they come in bulk sizes... and we have to
break them down," explains Gibson. "A lot of times we get large supplies of
school supplies in, and they need to unload those supplies and assemble them."
Teams of volunteers, including families and youth groups, create individual
packages for students. Each backpack might contain a ruler, a few pens and
pencils, paper, a glue stick and some markers.
"We have a very small staff here," says Gibson. "Volunteers are the heart
and soul of how we do what we do. Otherwise, we couldn't do it."
For Emily Greene's senior project in high school, she could have done anything
-- taken a class, built something. But she chose to volunteer at the World
Vision storehouse in Seattle, Washington.
"This is my first day, and I'm totally blown away," says Greene with a
laugh. "I would love to keep volunteering here past my senior project requirements.
Everybody's so friendly."
Greene was busy folding pajamas, blouses and slacks, and putting together
outfits for homeless women who are re-entering the workforce.
"I just felt the need to come to an organization that helps other people,"
she says. Many of her classmates chose community projects as well. "I think
people, especially my generation, are wanting to be in the know... and just
want to help," she says. "We're at that age where we want to change the world."
Greene's dream job is to become a music therapist for autistic children.
And she feels her work at the storehouse will help her in this field. "It
just helps me understand different backgrounds and different people -- where
they come from and what their needs are."
Every Wednesday morning Betty Moore heads to the local food bank with her
special-needs son Shea, and the two of them roll up their sleeves.
"I thought it would be a good way to get Shea out... give him something
to do," Moore says. The food bank takes donated food from grocery stores and
creates free healthy food baskets for people in the community.
Moore volunteers to sort through huge crates of fruit and vegetables in
the warehouse, tossing out the rotten pieces. Meanwhile, Shea holds the door
open for people carrying orders.
"[Shea] is always talking to people," says Moore. "He just likes being
out in the front with the people."
Moore enjoys talking to the customers, staff and volunteers as well. Recently
a class of Grade 7 students joined her in the warehouse, sorting through food
and filling baskets.
But she finds it surprising that more people don't volunteer when there's
such a need. "I like doing it," she says. "I feel like I should be doing something."
She appreciates the little things about the work too -- like the thanks
she gets from one food bank staffer. "Every time I'm there, he says thank
you," she says. "To me, that's the best thing anybody could say to me."
Every day, as sure as the sun rises, you'll find Butch Denesse at the Green
Project. He's a retired printing press repairman. But now he spends three
to five hours per day volunteering at the project's warehouse in New Orleans.
"I get as much time here as I possibly can without totally ignoring my
property," says Denesse.
The Green Project takes used building material -- like lumber, doors and
windows -- and resells it to the community. Contractors and homeowners can
pick up the items they need at much lower costs than if they were buying them
new. It's a way to recycle existing materials, and reduce the amount of waste
going to landfills.
"I do really like the idea that the Green Project stands for the actual
recycling of material," says Denesse. He spends his days unloading trucks,
stacking lumber, sorting doors, windows, fencing and paint. He tests tools
to see if they work. And occasionally he offers advice to customers on building
projects.
The best part of the work, he says, is the variety. "Every time I come
here I feel as if I'm contributing," he adds.
"And it's a learning experience for me because I'm learning a bit better
how to communicate with people," he says. "Because after all the years working
on printing presses, the only people I associated with were press operators.
You know, it was a limited experience. Where here, I'll meet people from all
walks of life."
How to Get Involved
Contact your local food bank, or a nonprofit center that collects donated
material, such as clothing, furniture, art supplies, household items or building
supplies. If the nonprofit operates a warehouse, they may need warehouse volunteers.
In many cases, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. However, some
organizations offer student programs where young people can participate if
they're accompanied by adults.
Volunteers working in warehouses may be required to wear protective gear,
including closed toed shoes (or steel toed boots), work gloves and hard hats.
Links
World Vision -- The Storehouse
Learn more about World Vision's storehouse program to help Americans
living in poverty
The Green Project
Find out more about this recycling project, located in New Orleans,
Louisiana
Volunteer Match
Find volunteer opportunities near you
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