Thanksgiving Food Drive: Volunteers Needed

The Maplewood Civic Center is organizing its Annual Autumn Harvest Food Drive, and we need dedicated student and family volunteers to make this year's collection a success. Our goal is to collect, inspect, and package non-perishable pantry goods to support local families ahead of the holiday season.

Dates and Location

• Dates: Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19
• Location: Maplewood Community Center, North Pavilion and Central Gymnasium

Available Shifts and Roles

Volunteers may register for one or multiple shifts:

• Morning Shift: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Afternoon Shift: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Key Roles:

• Curbside Intake: Greet community donors, unload bags from vehicles, and transport items to the intake station using rolling carts.
• Sorting and Inspection: Verify expiration dates, check packaging integrity, and categorize goods into designated sorting bins.
• Packing and Staging: Assemble standardized care packages, carefully seal boxes, and stack completed parcels onto pallets.

Age and Participation Requirements

• Students aged 11 to 13 (Grade 6 to Grade 8) are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult guardian for the entire duration of the shift.
• Students aged 14 and older may volunteer independently with a signed parent or guardian consent waiver.
• Community service credit forms will be signed at the check-out desk at the end of each shift.

Donation Guidelines

To ensure sorting runs efficiently, please review the accepted and prohibited donation list:

• Accepted Items: Canned vegetables and fruits, whole-grain rice, dry pasta, boxed stuffing, canned tuna, shelf-stable broth, and 100% fruit juices.
• Prohibited Items: Glass jars of any kind, homemade foods, open containers, dented or rusted cans, and items past their printed expiration date.

Safety Guidelines

• All volunteers must wear closed-toe athletic shoes or work boots; sandals and slides are strictly prohibited.
• Heavy-duty work gloves will be provided on-site.
• Always lift boxes with your legs rather than your back. Team lifts are mandatory for any crate weighing more than twenty pounds.

Accessibility Information

The facility features step-free ground-level entrances, automated doors, and wide aisles throughout the packing floor. Dedicated seated sorting tables are available for any volunteers who prefer or require a seated work station. Please notify the registration coordinator upon check-in to be assigned to these stations.

Inclement Weather Plan

This event will proceed rain or shine. In the event of moderate rain or cold temperatures, curbside intake will operate beneath heavy-duty outdoor canopy tents. In the case of severe weather or high winds, all drive-through drop-offs will be redirected through the indoor lower-level parking bay, and sorting will take place entirely inside the gymnasium.

To sign up for a shift, visit the community bulletin board outside the main administrative office or register via the online student portal before Wednesday, November 15.