FeedMore and Salvation Army Volunteering

As agreed upon by our Board of Directors, our Club will refrain from endorsing personnel support to both FeedMore and the Salvation Army.  However, we will support individuals who would like to volunteer for those organizations, to do so on their own.  Dick Rheutan (Established Projects Director) is available to help coordinate or answer questions as needed.

The reasoning is as follows:

• The current virus pandemic has created changes within the Salvation Army which promotes individual rather than group participation.

• The FeedMore Backpack program has been suspended due to Richmond Public Schools going to predominantly virtual programs.  A Community Kitchen opportunity has been offered to us, is detailed below but has not been a program previously supported by our Club.

• The Covid pandemic is more dangerous to our Club members because of our age demographics and it has become increasingly prevalent as the weather has forced people inside and holiday socialization continues.

The programs currently available are:

Salvation Army: The bell ringing program is active this holiday season for individuals and groups and is an internet sign up process only.  The website is registertoring.com and provides available times (2 hour slots) and locations. 

FeedMore: The current program available is volunteering in the Community Kitchen assembling food packages for Meals on Wheels.  The coordinator is Madeline Kelsey and she is eager for us to volunteer.  They follow CDC guidelines and utilize 6 of fewer people per shift.  The shifts are Monday through Friday 9 am-1 pm and 1-4 pm.  She would like to schedule for the upcoming month, two weeks before the month begins.  Madeline’s Email is mkelsey@feedmore.org.

If you choose to participate in either of these service opportunities on your own, you CAN receive “Kiwanis” credit for it as a make-up for a missed meeting. Additionally, Christy is keeping track of service hours and would appreciate you letting her know.