Food pantry calling for more volunteers as need grows

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – During the summer, some families struggle to put food on the table each night, and one local organization that helps to feed the hungry is calling on the community to volunteer.

Positive Impact Ministries said they need at least 50 to 60 people to pull off their free food events every weekend.

Some kids rely on school to get their main meals, but summertime can have families scrambling to feed everyone.

“Because they have a couple of children at home, and they are responsible for a couple of more meals each day per child. So, if a family has two children, that’s thirty extra meals a week,” said Karen Rae, Executive Director.

Organizers said with people traveling or snowbirds going back up North, they are getting less help.

“Just last weekend, we had around 35 volunteers and it usually takes around 50 volunteers to pull off our weekend event. So, we felt the impact,” Rae said.

With less help, the volunteers who show up every weekend have even more to do.

“A lot more work, the volunteers that are here are like double loaded,” said Martha Kladitis, Staff Leader.

Volunteers help make the organization’s goal a reality as they load boxes into cars, sort through food, and clean up everything afterward.

“We need more people to like shift around and move around. We also are putting food in boxes, we get a lot of food, we’re very blessed in that way. We get a lot of food, so we have a lot to sort through,” Kladitis said.

Every weekend, volunteer hours are split up, but now, they have to work longer hours. Positive Impact is calling upon the public to help, they said they are looking for individuals, families, and groups to come to lend a helping hand.

“If you’re a senior citizen, I’d say, come on out, let’s gang together and show these young kids how we can do what we do best. That’s being a mother and grandmother to the children that are in need,” said Kara Lynne Brubaker, the Founder.

If you are looking for more information on how to volunteer, click here.

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