Local organizations looking for holiday volunteers, food

By Bradley Hart
The Collegian

Several Fresno organizations that provide meals for the poor and homeless say they’re in need of assistance this holiday season.

Bread of Life ministry provides meals to the homeless in Roeding Park every Wednesday and prepares a feast for them on Thanksgiving, organization co-founder Patricia Phillips Rivera said.

“We have a big need for volunteers,” Rivera said. “They can donate food or they can prepare food and take it to the park.”

The Fresno Bee reported Nov. 16 that a number of local organizations that provide support to the needy, including Bread of Life, the Fresno Community Food Bank, the Fresno Rescue Mission and the Poverello House, have seen fewer food donations than usual this year.

At the time, Bread of Life reported that it was yet to receive any donations of turkeys for its Thanksgiving meal this year.

In recent days, however, several organizations on the list have seen their food supplies skyrocket.

Donna Scully, volunteer coordinator of the Fresno Rescue Mission, said donations have brought the homeless shelter’s food supply almost back to normal levels.

She also said while the Rescue Mission is completely booked with volunteers through the holidays, there’s always a need for help in the organization’s other ministries and in the future.

“I just want to encourage people to think of us beyond the season,” Scully said.

Bread of Life, in contrast, has received more than 50 turkeys since the Bee’s article and is seeking a number of volunteers for the holiday season.

Rivera said she’s seeking about 10 more volunteers to help prepare and distribute the Thanksgiving meal later this week.

Those looking to help out can also make donations of food to the organization.

“We’re not funded by anyone so we can’t buy anything,” Rivera said.

Bread of Life also puts on an annual toy drive during the Christmas season in southeast Fresno that Rivera said requires a large number of both volunteers and donations.

For those who cannot donate or volunteer during the holiday season, Scully said there’s an even simpler way to provide support for those in need.

“We can always use a lot of prayers for those who are out on the street,” she said.

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