Introduction to Volunteering

It is next to impossible to volunteer in Encino - there's no one coordinating efforts or outreach. Only the churches and temples have anything organized and they tend to be perceived by outsiders as exclusionary.

So if you are interested in volunteering, you need to know that our local churches and temples run food banks in the Valley and they always need part-time drivers and part-time staff. With demand for food expected to treble over the next year, you could really be useful.

Here's how it works... Each church or temple collects food donations from their members and they store them temporarily. The next step involves transporting it to a food bank and that's where I'm volunteering, filling in occasionally for regular drivers when they can't do it. It only means a few hours a week (occasionally for me) and using your own vehicle and gas. They also need a supply of volunteers to staff the office and hand out food and clothing. Obviously it's difficult if you have a full-time job, but if you work odd hours like me, or are currently not working, please consider volunteering.

If you are interested, let me know - martin.blythe@gmail.com - and I can put you in touch with one of the food banks needing help.

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If you are interested in donating, here is what one food bank requires (the others are similar):

PLASTIC BAGS (so people can take the items home)

BABY FOOD

CEREAL & BOXED CEREAL

CANNED SOUP & CANNED VEGGIES

COOKING OIL

CUPS-OF-SOUP

DRY POWDERED MILK

EGGS

FRESH MILK

LUNCH MEAT

BOXED MACARONI & CHEESE

PASTA

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY

PINTO BEANS

POP-TOP CANNED FOODS

RICE

SPAGETTI &  SPAGETTI SAUCE

SPAM

TUNA

VIENNA SAUSAGE

TOOTHPASTE

TOWELS/WASHCLOTHS

DIAPERS

SHAMPOO

BAR SOAP

LAUNDRY SOAP

FEMININE HYGIENE ITEMS

I have also seen large donations of fruits and breads although you might want to call first about anything perishable.

Everything can be dropped off at your local churches or temples. Again, call first.