Can drive shows power of volunteerism

On Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a cadre of volunteers will be in the Carrs parking lots in Palmer and Wasilla to collect food for local food banks. The holiday food drive is being sponsored by the United Way of Mat-Su, the Alaska Job Corps Center and Integra Insurance Services.

The food banks in Wasilla and Palmer and the Salvation Army in Palmer will be the recipients of the donated food.

As the food banks look forward to the holiday season, the workers at these agencies know that the need for food will be greater than any other time of year. According to Betty Mercer of the Wasilla Food Bank, "an additional 70 families were assisted at the food bank during the months of November and December last year."

The food banks provide food to hungry Mat-Su residents all year, but during the holidays, their efforts are increased as they prepare the food baskets that will make the holidays a bit brighter for families and individuals who would otherwise do without.

The Oct. 25 food drive is intended to assist the food banks in the busy time. Approximately 35 volunteers from the Alaska Job Corps Center will be on hand all day to collect food and distribute it to the food banks and the Salvation Army. The effort has been coordinated by staff and volunteers at United Way of Mat-Su, as well as volunteers from Job Corps and Integra Insurance Services.

Integra Insurance Services came up with the idea for the food drive, and offered to work with United Way to make it happen. Within days, Steve Sawyer from Job Corps called to see if there was a project Job Corps could get involved with as volunteers. Job Corps agreed to provide the manpower at the collection points to collect, weigh and load the food into vans. They also will be waving at motorists, encouraging them to donate.

Integra set about finding a couple of vans, and coordinating with Carrs/Safeway to use the parking lots. Within days, the outline of the food drive started taking shape, all because of the volunteers.

The food drive also comes as a challenge. Norm Taylor of Integra challenged local businesses to contribute more nonperishable items, per pound per employee, than Integra. Some foods suggested were pasta, beans, rice, canned fruits, vegetables and canned meat.

The people helping embody the cheerful, can-do attitude that is the hallmark of all volunteers. They have a huge impact on the community because they stretch the scope of work that can be accomplished by nonprofit agencies.

Without the assistance of volunteers, many worthwhile projects never would get out of the idea stage.