When Lorraine Klinger retired in 2017, she was determined to have a meaningful second chapter in her life.
She found it at Helping Harvest.
Klinger had been aware of the Spring Township-based foodbank, which serves Berks and Schuylkill counties, for some time. It was one of several local organizations that she and her former coworkers had collected donations to support.
She was intrigued by the food bank and its mission, so she began poking around to see what kind of volunteer opportunities they had available. It turns out, there were a lot.
“There are so many different things there that you can do to volunteer,” she said.
Over the past seven years, Klinger has tried almost all of them.
She has helped distribute food at Helping Harvest’s mobile markets, she has packed “weekender” boxes, she has sorted donations, she has answered phones, she has entered data into computers.
“The only thing I haven’t done there is I haven’t helped them weed,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t like to weed at my house, so I’m not going to weed there.”
Klinger has put in over 1,800 hours of work at Helping Harvest, making her one of the organizations volunteer all-stars.
Playing a critical role
Klinger and other dedicated volunteers like her in southeastern Pennsylvania are the reason Helping Harvest and other food distribution agencies are able to help thousands of local families in need keep food on their tables.
“We really, to a huge extent, rely on volunteers,” said Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest.
Helping Harvest counts on volunteers for everything from operating its warehouse to making deliveries to crafting prepared meals to office work. In total, the organization benefits from about 35,000 volunteer manhours a year.
And that has allowed the food bank to expand its reach, Worrall said. This year it will distribute about $20 million in food, up from just $8.5 million five years ago.
“We are very, very busy,” he said.
That’s especially true this time of year, as Helping Harvest prepares for the holiday season. This Thanksgiving the organization will hand out 6,000 frozen turkeys and fixings to families in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
“Volunteers help us do all of it,” Worrall said.
The same is true at other food banks and pantries across the region. Worral said Helping Harvest has 350 food distribution partners, nearly all of which rely on volunteers.
At the Patrician Society in Norristown in Montgomery County volunteers are counted on for everything from picking up and unloading deliveries to sorting and organizing donations to providing emotional support.
“Volunteers are the backbone and engine of our operation,” said LeeAnn Rooney, executive director of the Patrician Society. “We have over 50 folks who volunteer with us, picking up deliveries, accepting deliveries, sorting food, bagging produce, sorting diapers, making grocery bags and taking out trash.”
Clarice Foster, food pantry manager at the Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton, Montgomery County, said the same is true for her organization.
“Volunteers are not only a vital part of our community, but also the very backbone of our organization,” she said. “Without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, many of the services we provide would not be possible.”
In addition to logistical tasks, Foster said volunteers provide an important human connection for the organization’s clients.
“This connection — providing not just food, but also a warm smile and a compassionate ear — helps build trust and comfort for people who may be going through difficult times,” Foster said. “For many, volunteers provide not only tangible support but emotional encouragement as well, showing kindness and understanding when it’s needed most.”
At the North Coventry Food Pantry in Chester County, an all-volunteer group of about 50 run the show.
“Everybody is a volunteer,” said Ginny Wade, who leads the team. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without them — no way. It takes a lot of time to date things, sort through things and pack up for distribution.”
Happy to help
Wade said North Coventry Food Pantry is lucky because northern Chester County is rife with people willing to lend a hand. Volunteers respond when she posts on Facebook looking on help, people hear about the need through the Owen J. Roberts School District and others simply know when to contact the pantry.
“People come out of the woodwork,” Wade said. “Volunteers are easy to get in this community. I can’t say enough about this area.”
Rick Ash of South Coventry Township is one of those volunteers.
He said he feels satisfaction knowing he is helping people from his own community — the pantry helps about 100 families a month — and enjoys being able giving back.
“We are somewhat affluent, but a lot of people don’t understand there is a need in this area,” he said. “Knowing that anyone can be put in this position, and if the shoe was put on the other foot, I know that people would help me.”
Volunteer Kathe Spohn helps at North Coventry Food Pantry with check-ins and on distribution day.
“There are so many people in need,” she said. “I’m grateful to help people in our community in need, especially because the price of food is exorbitant. For those struggling financially, it’s great to be able to provide extra food and staples.”
Klinger said her devotion to volunteering at Helping Harvest is partly because she knows she could one day find herself as one of those struggling.
“I do as much as I can because I feel that if I’m ever in that situation at some point in my life where I need help, I hope there’s people there to help me,” she said.
And, she said, Helping Harvest makes volunteering easy.
She said the food bank has so many opportunities for volunteerism it’s always easy to find time for it in her schedule.
“I don’t have to be there every day or every week,” she said. “But I do feel like I’m there a lot.”
And all of that time she spends at Helping Harvest is incredibly rewarding, Klinger said.
“If you just give a few hours a week to helping someone else, it’s amazing how good it makes you feel,” she said. “It’s not just giving; you’re getting something in return.”
Sue Golding, a 10-year volunteer at the Patrician Society, said volunteering has given her a rewarding task to occupy her time following her retirement.
“I had previously supported the Patrician Society financially and realized it was a good place to start,” she said. “I have been blessed in my life by always having a roof over my head and food to eat. I knew there were so many who were not as fortunate.”
Katie Schneck, a four-year volunteer at the Keystone Opportunity Center, echoed Golding’s sentiments, noting the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with food pantry clients and staff.
“I want to support those in the community who are less fortunate than my family has been,” Schneck said. “Rather than just donating to a cause, volunteering is a way to connect with the individuals Keystone serves as well as with the incredible pantry staff and other volunteers.”
A constant need
The start of the holiday season is traditionally the busiest time of the year for food banks and pantries. And while it is also the most popular time for people to volunteer, more help is always welcome.
“We could definitely use more people,” Worrall of Helping Harvest said. “The demand for our services is such right now that we can’t even talk about meeting all of the need. We can always do more, so anyone who wants to volunteer we would welcome them with open arms.”
Foster of Keystone Opportunity Center stressed that the overwhelming need isn’t just around the holidays.
“While food donations are plentiful during the holidays, the demand doesn’t stop once the season ends,” she said. “Food donations are needed year-round to ensure we can continue supporting our community.”
Schneck shared the same sentiment.
“While volunteering at the holidays is a way to help those less fortunate enjoy the holidays as we all do, being there all year long is especially important in lifting them up on a continual basis,” she said. “There are many programs of support focused on the holidays, but the need these folks have is year-round.”
And, Foster said, volunteers are critical in meeting not just that material need, but also the ongoing mental and psychological need to food insecurity creates.
“Volunteers do more than just fill roles — they make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families,” she said. “Their contributions are priceless.
“We encourage volunteers to stay involved and host food drives throughout the year to help us meet the ongoing needs of those who rely on the pantry.”
