Montclair Food Pantry Needs Volunteers: How To Help – Montclair, NJ Patch

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair needs a helping hand.

On Tuesday, the pantry – which serves Montclair and the surrounding Essex County area – put out a call for volunteers on social media.

“As some of our devoted pandemic volunteers are returning to school and work, we have some volunteer opportunities,” staff wrote. “Volunteers are scheduled by the month, with most doing three to four shifts each month.”

Those who are interested can sign up here. Learn more about volunteering at the pantry here.

“We will need a bunch of people to step up,” staff stated.

There are two jobs that volunteers are especially welcome for, the nonprofit said:

Packing bags in the warehouse – “Pack grocery bags for homebound and walk-up clients. This work takes place in the warehouse, working with other volunteers and pantry staff. Masks and gloves are worn by all and social distancing is strictly enforced; must be able to lift 20 pounds … Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. until the bags are complete, but no later than 11 a.m.

Family/Household/Quarantine Pods packing bread and produce – Pack bread and fresh produce into plastic bags for each client. This work takes place in the front of the building where social distancing is difficult, so we can only accept groups (of two to four) from the same family or household, or a quarantine pod (individuals who are comfortable working together). Masks are required and gloves are provided … Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 11 a.m. This job may take 2+ hours for a team of two people, less time for a larger team.”

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.