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MADF has a database of over a thousand volunteers for a large variety of opportunities. As a volunteer, there are various work locations and duties. At the ECP food bank, responsibilities include restocking shelves and monitoring shoppers. At the Tacoma Dome Free Grocery Giveaway Drive-Thru Street Service, responsibilities include set up and take down, handing out client sheets or flyers, and distributing food into client cars. The main task at the MADF Warehouse is building dry food boxes with various non-perishable foods. These dry food boxes are passed out at the Tacoma Dome and with door to door deliveries. Within the MADF office volunteers are helping with the data collection for both the food bank and Tacoma Dome Street Service. Finally, while out gleaning, the main responsibilities include harvesting, washing and packing produce before transporting it back to ECP. Currently, there is a MADF volunteer coordinator that recruits volunteers for all positions other than gleaning. The AmeriCorps member is responsible for volunteer coordination and communication specifically for gleaning. 

Gleaning Volunteer Recruitment

The AmeriCorps member at Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank has been actively expanding volunteer recruitment to meet the increasing demand for fresh produce gleaning. Focusing efforts on diverse locations and audiences, the AmeriCorps member has developed a comprehensive outreach strategy targeting high schools, colleges, and community organizations. By establishing connections with educational institutions, including both public and private schools, the AmeriCorps member has been able to reach students interested in hands-on service and those seeking community service hours.

To reach broader community segments, the AmeriCorps member has also leveraged local events and key gathering places like gardening centers (Home Depot, Ace, Lowe’s) and veterans’ chapters. The AmeriCorps member’s strategy includes regular visits to these spaces and the distribution of informative recruitment fliers that define gleaning and emphasize its impact on food security in Tacoma. Within the faith community, the AmeriCorps member has networked with local churches to encourage congregational involvement, helping diversify the volunteer base. Social media has served as a major recruitment platform as well, where the AmeriCorps member’s targeted campaigns regularly highlight the need for volunteers, the impact of gleaning, and success stories to inspire more engagement. Through this approach, the AmeriCorps member has continued to build an enthusiastic volunteer base that supports the food bank’s mission to bring fresh, nutritious food to those in need.

Retaining volunteers during the off-season has been a challenge, prompting the AmeriCorps member to explore new strategies for keeping them engaged year-round. This includes researching best practices for volunteer retention and planning appreciation events to foster a sense of community and commitment. One initiative under consideration is a volunteer and donor appreciation gala, which would celebrate the contributions of volunteers and donors, recognize standout service, and create opportunities for deeper connections to the food bank’s mission. This event would serve not only as a token of gratitude but as a platform to share impact stories, introduce new opportunities, and inspire continued involvement.

Gleaning Volunteer Communication Before and After Service

Before

At MADF, the gleaning program follows a three-step communication protocol to ensure that volunteers feel seen, appreciated, and fully informed about their service. Upon recruitment, each volunteer is promptly added to the gleaning volunteer listserv and receives a thank-you email acknowledging their commitment to MADF. This initial point of contact sets a positive tone and reinforces the organization’s gratitude. Each week, the gleaning coordinator updates the AmeriCorps member on upcoming gleaning events, which the member then logs into the MADF volunteer management system, VolunteerUp. Subsequently, an informative email is sent to the listserv detailing the date, time, location, type of produce, and expectations for the upcoming gleaning events, marking the second point of contact.

These emails also include instructions on how to sign up as a volunteer through VolunteerUp and provide the gleaning coordinator’s contact information for day-of coordination, ensuring that volunteers have all the necessary resources at their fingertips. The final point of contact occurs the day before each gleaning event, when volunteers are reminded of their service, including the date, time, and location. This structured communication approach not only enhances volunteer engagement but also fosters a sense of community and readiness, making each gleaning experience more enjoyable and effective.

After

After every gleaning event, it is essential to express gratitude to volunteers for their invaluable contributions. At a minimum, personalized thank-you emails should be sent to each volunteer to acknowledge their efforts. Additionally, handwritten notes can add a personal touch, while sharing pictures of volunteers in action on social media further celebrates their service. Many volunteers dedicate their time to organizations whose missions resonate with them because they genuinely want to make a difference. Therefore, regardless of the method of appreciation employed, it is crucial to highlight the impact of their service, reinforcing the significance of their contributions and fostering a sense of belonging within the community. This thoughtful approach not only enhances volunteer satisfaction but also encourages ongoing engagement and support for future gleaning events.