Gibson Area Food Pantry
Interested in Volunteering?
The Gibson Area Food Pantry conducts food distributions on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. On a rotating basis, churches, civic organizations, GAH, GCMS student groups, and area businesses take turns providing volunteers to work at the pantry. Perhaps your place of business or an organization/association you're affiliated with would like to be added to our regular volunteer rotation. If so, contact Rick Ertel at 217-249-5015 for more information.
If you're an individual who is not affiliated with an organization and just wants to volunteer when your schedule allows, contact Rick Ertel for more information OR to reserve your spot. It's best to contact us ahead of time rather than showing up on the day of the distribution. This allows us to better manage the number of volunteers on distribution weekends!
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Friday Evenings (prep for distributions)
In preparation of a Saturday distribution (and deliveries when applicable), we need volunteers Friday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to help pack food boxes.
If you can't make it on Saturday morning here's another chance for you to participate!
Saturday Distributions
Volunteers load food boxes into patron's vehicles and pack additional food boxes throughout the morning.
Volunteers should arrive by 7:45 am.
The pantry is open until noon, but most volunteers are able to leave by 11:00 am.
Saturday Deliveries
In conjunction with our first distribution of the month (which is the second Saturday of the month), we deliver food boxes to area shut-ins.
We need 6-8 volunteers, preferably with vans, SUVs, or trucks, to make deliveries.
Delivery volunteers should arrive by 8:30 am and can expect to be done by 10:30 am. If you're interested in being a delivery person, contact Tim Ricks at TimRicks16@gmail.com.
Thursday EIFB Shipments
On the Thursday prior to a Saturday distribution, we receive our shipment from the Eastern Illinois Food Bank (Champaign). The truck typically arrives between 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm.
We need 6-8 volunteers to help unload the truck and place food cases on pallets. Cases of canned goods can be quite heavy, so this job requires the ability to lift about 25 pounds. We often collate "backpacks" and frozen-food bags on this day as well.
The job typically is done by 2:30 pm, but times can vary based on EIFB's arrival time. If you're interested in helping with our Thursday shipments, text Jean Ertel at 217-249-5014.
Wednesday MFB
Shipments
On the first Wednesday of the month (this sometimes varies), we receive a delivery from Midwest Food Bank (Bloomington). The truck typically arrives between 2:00 and 2:30 pm.
We need 6-8 volunteers to help unload the truck and place cases on pallets. This job requires the ability to lift about 25 pounds.
The job typically is done by 4:00 pm, but times can vary based on the truck's arrival time. Contact Jean Ertel if you're interested in helping with our Wednesday shipments.