Food Bank (Garden Grove)

Hi. If you are using the Meetup mobile app on your phone, look down a few lines below and tap the red-colored "Read more" to expand the description.

TAP THIS ---------

If you are using a computer or laptop/notebook, then you should be fine.

Okay, everybody should now be able to see the full description on their screen.

Reminder for everyone: If Meetup sends too many emails, then look at the bottom of their email and click Unsubscribe or Manage your settings or account page.

Recommended for anyone new to this group or volunteering for the first time:

https://www.meetup.com/SoCalVolunteers/events/154414682

____________________

Hi.

Would anyone want to attend this event and help host?

Hosting isn't hard.

It involves being a point of contact in case others sign up and want to meet & volunteer together.

If your plans/availability change, and you can't attend anymore, that's fine, just let us know and maybe someone else can step up to host, but if not, it's okay and we can cancel this meetup.

____________________

Attention:

To help me save time, this is automatically posted in this group, but please check with the food bank to confirm it's open on this date.

They are open on most Saturdays, but they are sometimes closed on some Saturdays due to holiday (or holiday weekends), or special events, or other reasons.

Some examples of holiday weekends they are closed on is New Year's Day, MLK Jr., President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.

-

Redundant Reiteration: Regardless of the date shown on here, please contact the food bank to confirm it is open on this date.
[masked] ext. 3493

[masked]

I don't want anyone to drive there and find out they are closed, so please contact them to check if they are open on this Saturday. Thank you.

____________________

I try to spread the word about volunteer opportunities and raise awareness about non-profits/charities that do good work.

This is from the OC Food Bank.

http://ocfoodbank.org/volunteer

This food bank is fun to help with and is family-friendly (kids of all ages are welcome with adult supervision).

The OC Food Bank is in Garden Grove, which is different from Second Harvest Food Bank in Irvine.

-

"On a daily basis, volunteers work side-by-side to the beat of music packing food boxes that are distributed to hungry people in Orange County and surrounding areas."

"There are work assignments appropriate for volunteers of all ages and physical abilities."

"Adult supervision is required for young children."

"Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and need to wear closed-toed shoes."

The assembly line can sometimes be fast-paced, which actually can be fun. Volunteer tasks include making (folding) the boxes, putting items inside the box (cereal, rice, juice, canned food, etc.), taping the boxes, moving them onto crates, or breaking down leftover cardboard.

Little kids can help make (fold) the boxes or pick up discarded cardboard for recycling.

____________________

Two shifts to choose from (your choice):

8:30am - 10:30am

or

11:00am - 1:00pm

http://ocfoodbank.org/volunteer

Other groups make reservations on Saturdays (companies, school clubs, boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups, rotary/service clubs, etc.), so the food bank might sometimes be full/crowded with other volunteers.

Even though their website says "NO WALK-INS ALLOWED" — they usually are friendly and accept a few individuals.

I've showed up a few times and they didn't mind, so I think it's okay if a few people show up.

____________________

The food bank is a warehouse environment, so please dress accordingly.

Here are their guidelines - http://ocfoodbank.org/pdf/member/warehouseguidelines.pdf

____________________

Driving Directions & Parking

From Chapman Ave, turn on Monarch St.

The first entrance looks like

https://goo.gl/maps/B3Mz1MhPE1x

If the first entrance is closed, continue on Monarch St and turn right on Hunt Ave.

Near the railroad crossing is the back entrance. which looks like

https://goo.gl/maps/nuehAqJcMuK2

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460380157405366

After parking, proceed to the food bank warehouse.

On top of a wooden counter near the entrance should be some clipboards.

Look for a sign-up sheet that says "Individuals" and sign in. It should look like this.

https://www.facebook.com/socalvolunteers/photos/a.460380157405366.1073741889.456406427802739/657628811013832

If others sign up from this group and you want to volunteer together, maybe post a comment and describe what you will wear or look like, or exchange contact info so you can contact each other and meet one another.

Many other people help on Saturdays, so finding each other may be challenging. Figuring out who is from this group among several strangers can be tricky, so consider posting a day or two before to communicate and coordinate.

____________________

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1856860114424023

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1166293913480650

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.784467618329950

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.657627167680663

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.510368522406529

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.463512037092178

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462536793856369

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.462296867213695

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.461312620645453

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460399414070107

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460375190739196

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDzc2ISzIZg