NEAR Food Shelf Needs Volunteers

NEAR Food Shelf in Crystal is in dire need of more volunteers. The nonprofit usually has more than 100 helpers. Now they only have about 30.

“Our people are mostly over 70 and the pandemic came and a lot of them never came back because they couldn’t handle what was going on here,” explained Jan Monroe, agency director of NEAR Food Shelf.

Monroe said because the nonprofit lost several key helpers, current helpers have to do double duty. 

“We just need younger volunteers that’s not 85 or that old,” said Dick Starner, a volunteer. 

Dick Starner has been volunteering for NEAR Food Shelf for 12 years.

Starner said that the heavy duty jobs have been tough on the older folks. 

“Lift, put stuff away, pack carts, unload trucks, we get a truck every week that has different vegetables,” he explained.

Monroe hopes the community will step up, as the COVID-19 crisis continues to heap pressure on the food shelf. 

“It’s been a tough year for everyone,” she said. 

Volunteer shifts are 7-10 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m.

If you’re interested to volunteer, call Carol or Jan at 733-231-3020 or email near@nearfoodshelf.org. 

Crystal | New Hope