How Our Clinical Sr. Account Manager is Making a Difference with Direct Impact Volunteer Hours
Making a Difference
At Colpitts Clinical, a division of Direct Travel, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to take part in something truly special: Direct Impact volunteer hours. This program allows employees to take paid time off to volunteer and give back to our communities. Recently, I took advantage of this perk and spent a day volunteering at a local food pantry—an experience that truly opened my eyes to the power of giving back.
The Food Pantry’s Mission and Operations
The food pantry I volunteered at serves between 50 to 100 families every day through curbside pickup, providing essential groceries to those facing food insecurity. This pantry, which operates five days a week, relies heavily on volunteers to keep things running smoothly. My sister, who has been volunteering there for nearly ten years, invited me to join her for the day, and I was eager to lend a hand.
The pantry is organized in a way that ensures families receive a balanced selection of food. There are six main food categories, and each family’s grocery bag is carefully filled with items from each:
- Breakfast items – Cereal, oatmeal, etc.
- Canned goods & pantry staples – Canned fish, tomatoes, vegetables, pasta, rice, mac & cheese.
- Bread & pastries – Freshly donated bread, rolls, and pastries.
- Frozen meat, fish, & vegetables – As available, with careful attention to keep everything properly stored.
- Dairy products – Milk, butter, eggs, and yogurt.
- Fresh produce – A selection of fruits and vegetables.
A Day in the Life at the Pantry
Volunteering at the pantry starts with a brief orientation, where everyone is assigned to a station. After that, the work begins! Volunteers are divided into stations for each of the six food categories, where we prepare grocery bags in advance. Once a sufficient number of bags are ready, another volunteer loads them into shopping carts. Then, the runners check in each family, grab the appropriate carts, and deliver the groceries straight to their cars.
The pantry also serves larger families, who receive additional bags of food as needed. The system is efficient, but it’s also quite fast-paced. Volunteers are constantly on the move, navigating tight aisles filled with grocery bags, shopping carts, and incoming donations from supermarkets, bakeries, and other generous donors. In addition to packing bags, some volunteers focus on sorting and stocking shelves with the new deliveries, while others check for expired or damaged items to ensure only the best food is distributed.
A Fast-Paced but Rewarding Experience
While the day was busy and high-energy, it was incredibly fulfilling. I was amazed at how organized everything was, and how everyone worked together as a team to ensure the smooth distribution of food to the families who rely on this service. Even though my role was just a small part of the bigger picture, it felt incredibly rewarding to know that I had made a difference.
Volunteering at the food pantry was a powerful reminder of how important it is to give back. Seeing firsthand how the pantry helps families who are struggling was eye-opening, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to contribute. I’m also thankful that Direct Travel encourages employees to take part in the Direct Impact volunteer hours program, giving us the time and support to make a positive difference in our communities.
A Call to Action: Volunteer in Your Community!
If you have the opportunity to volunteer in your community, I highly encourage you to take it. It’s a rewarding experience that not only helps those in need but also provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Volunteering allows you to make a direct impact on the lives of others, and it’s a beautiful way to connect with your community.
So, whether it’s a food pantry, animal shelter, or any other cause you care about, take a step forward and get involved. The difference you can make is greater than you might think!
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