Clarity Quest believes in personal growth and the power of community building. We give each employee an additional day off to pursue a volunteer opportunity of their choice.
I’ve been volunteering at the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) quarterly alongside a team of local Bank of America employees. Before volunteering, I had no idea of the scope of services that food banks provide.
In addition to receiving, sorting, and distributing traditional food donations to local food banks, the Greater Lansing Food Bank has programs designed to foster self-sufficiency, promote sustainability, and build community.
Personal and community gardening is a healthy resource for local fresh foods. The Greater Lansing Food Bank strives to promote self-sufficiency and community building through free access to gardening plots, tools, education, seeds, and plants. The GLFB’s resources have helped to establish over 125 community gardens and more than 400 home gardens throughout the Lansing area. In 2017, these gardens grew 830,740 pounds of produce!
Gardening is not only a great source of fresh food for families and communities, but can also offer a unique source of income for motivated individuals. Since launching in 2013, the Lansing Roots program has served as an incubator helping underserved individuals with entrepreneurial aspirations get started in successful market gardening and farming.
At my last visit to the Food Bank, we cleaned and sorted non-perishable food donations into boxes ready for distribution. Here are some photos from the day.
Food banks around the country have opportunities in warehouses, gardens, and delivery trucks. If you’re interested in volunteering, find a food bank near you.
Whether you donate your time, funds, or knowledge to an entrepreneur or charity in your backyard or across the globe — you can and will make a difference!
To learn more about Clarity Quest’s efforts, see how we give back and check our blog for more updates.