Lat minute gift guide: Hunger never takes a break

“Organized chaos” is what Sarah Szwejda, the volunteer coordinator at the Greater Lansing Food Bank, calls the activity in the warehouse. The large open space is filled with employees working on forklifts, student volunteers who sort food items and employees organizing the day-to-day responsibilities.

“We don’t put a value judgment on food,” she said. “There is a huge need out there, and we will process whatever gets donated. We have zero control over what gets donated.”

Stores such as Meijer, Kroger and Foods for Living and companies such as Nabisco help with weekly donations.

“We could not exist without them,” Szwejda said. She said the majority of the food comes from retail organizations and food companies while individual donations, USDA food drops and other local nonprofits fill in the gaps.

“We have such great support from the community,” Szwejda said “Hunger never takes a break, so think about volunteering at nontraditional times of the year.”

There are many ways you can give, whether it’s time, donated food items or a tax-deductible monetary gift. You can be a food sorter at the warehouse, a volunteer driver or driver’s helper. You can also help out at one of the monthly distribution centers.

You can also participate in the organization’s Gleaner program, which puts fresh fruit from local farms into the hands of people in need. There are longer time commitments for Gleaner, which include growing food through one of the local community gardens. You can grow a section to donate as well as reap the rewards for your family. To encourage healthy eating with the fresh fruits and vegetables, some distribution centers give out recipe cards to teach people how to cook. But through it all runs the theme of donating in a unique way that actually promotes healthy eating.

“There is a huge national conversation about (healthier options),” Szwejda said. “Donated food is always welcome, but it would be great to call ahead first to see what the food bank is in need of. (Or you can) combine your local food drive with a donation drive.”

Donated money is it tax-deductible. You can even indicate which part of the organization your money goes to. Better yet, nonprofits like the Food Bank have more buying power with your money than you do when it comes to purchasing food items.

“Our dollars go a lot further than yours,” Szwejda said So this giving season give to a local organization that you believe in and let others in our community enjoy the holidays as much as you will.

For more information on the Greater Lansing Food Bank, go to greaterlansingfoodbank.org. For information on other nonprofit organizations in the area that need volunteers to donate time and tax-deductible money, go to volunteermatch.org.