SAFFORD — The local nonprofit dedicated to keeping the community fed with healthy foods is in need of help.
“We have to have volunteers to help fill in and so we can pass the food out,” said Stacey Scarce, Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry executive director. “We have to have volunteers; that’s what we run on.”
Volunteers are needs to help in both the pantry and the garden.
In the pantry, volunteers are needed to help with food sorting on Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to noon; distribution preparation on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8-10 a.m.; and with food distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1-3 p.m.
In the garden, volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; as animal caretakers, all weeklong in the mornings; and as an educational assistant, multiple times during the school day after spring break.
Those who can’t volunteer in the pantry or garden but still wish to help are encouraged to become board members.
To find out more about volunteer opportunities, e-mail ONFandP@gmail.com.
Due to uncertain supply chains, donations of perishables by local grocery stores have been down and, due to the lack of volunteers in the garden, not as many healthy foods haven been cultivated, which has left the pantry in need of donations.
Non-perishable foods may be dropped off at the pantry, 1020 S. 10th Ave. in Safford. To replenish the perishable food supply, Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry is asking for cash donations. Receipts for tax-qualifying charitable donation will be made available.