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 the pantry at 217-771-4100 or gibsonareafoodpantry@gmail.com 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 Matt Reynolds 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 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm to help pack food boxes. If you can't make it on Saturday morning this is 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.
Thursday EIFB Shipments
On the Thursday prior to a Saturday distribution, we receive our shipment from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank (Champaign). The truck typically arrives at11:30 am. 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 1:30 pm but times can vary. If you're interested in helping with our Thursday deliveries, contact Matt Reynolds.
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 Matt Reynolds if you're interested in helping with our Wednesday shipments.