Nonprofits that help feed those in need know that need is greater during severe weather events.
At Food & Friends in Northeast D.C., volunteers make 7,100 healthy meals every day. Earl Davy’s been volunteering since 2008.
“It allows me to get out in the community, to do something positive and to help somebody,” he said. “And, you know, you look at some of the conditions some of these people are and to be grateful for what you have.”
As the big snowstorm approaches the DMV, Davy says their mission is more important than ever.
The organization serves many who can’t get out. They rely on volunteers to deliver meals.
“Many of the clients you get to know after a while, and you can only wish the best for them,” Davy said. “And they’re really grateful that you show up.”
With the storm just days away, volunteers will prepare extra meals and make early deliveries. On Saturday, they’ll deliver for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday so their drivers won’t be on the dangerous roads and their clients are taken care of.
“We need all hands on deck,” Director of Volunteer Services Katrina Mathis said. “We even had staff up here today, OK? So, this is a big deal.”
On a typical Saturday, they deliver food to about 180 people. This Saturday, that will be about 400. They’ll have 50 drivers making deliveries and hundreds of hands in the kitchen.
The organization serves clients who face significant health challenges, including cancer and diabetes.
“We deliver as far north as Cumberland, Maryland, as far south as Fredericksburg, Virginia,” Mathis said. “We cover 6100 square miles of the DMV.”
While it’s too late to sign up to volunteer for this storm, Food & Friends wants people to start the process of becoming a volunteer now. It can take weeks because it involves a background check and other steps.
“Sign up for a shift so they’re familiar with it, so that when the next weather emergency happens or just when we have the next big need, and we send out a plea, they’re ready,” Mathis said.
