NTFB Volunteers Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look During Partner Agency Bus Tour

NTFB’s Community Engagement Team took volunteers to see how two partner organizations are serving neighbors as part of National Volunteer Month.

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, North Texas Food Bank’s Community Engagement Team hosted a bus tour for some of NTFB’s most dedicated volunteers.

The tour gave Volunteer Kernels and other committed volunteers the chance to tour two NTFB partner agencies and get a look at how the food they sort, pack and box at NTFB is distributed to neighbors facing hunger. Kernels are NTFB’s regular volunteers who lead others through their shifts.

“It was a very fruitful experience to see the compassion our partners serve with,” says Volunteer Specialist Elizabeth Campo.

On Wednesday, April 2, the group departed from NTFB’s Perot Family Campus and toured Metrocrest Community Services in Carrollton as well as The Storehouse Community Center in Plano. Both partners offer neighbors access to groceries and services that target the underlying barriers to food security, such as financial coaching and job skills training.

Metrocrest operates a large neighbor choice-style pantry that allows families to shop and select the foods they know they can use. It also offers several holistic support programs, including financial literacy, housing support, senior programs, and access to an NTFB Social Services Assistance staff member who can help neighbors apply for SNAP.

The Storehouse Community Center serves neighbors through its Seven Loaves Pantry, which receives food from NTFB’s warehouse as well as produce grown in NTFB’s Jan’s Garden. It also has a clothing closet for neighbors in need of clothing for job interviews, school or daily life. And it is a key partner in providing neighbors with access to holistic support through The Academy. At The Academy, neighbors can complete courses in language and life skills as well as job training. Graduates also have the opportunity to be connected with an employer that partners with The Academy.

Elizabeth says many of those who attended commented that they enjoyed seeing both how food is distributed and how partners are supporting neighbors in their needs that go beyond food.

“It was a great opportunity to see the holistic approach the food bank takes when it comes to serving neighbors,” she says.

Following the tour, volunteers enjoyed lunch at NTFB. Together, NTFB’s Volunteer Kernels gave 11,912 hours in the last fiscal year.