Volunteers are unsung heroes

My wife and I recently had the opportunity to work at the local Food Pantry here in Ritzville.

Each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. a group of volunteers receives foodstuffs, stocks shelves, inventories, repackages and distributes those products to folks in town.

All food is provided to the food bank by donation and is handed out free of charge. The products vary greatly from week to week, including produce that’s in season.

There seems to be a “core” group of volunteers that show up consistently each week. They have experience to guide us first-timers and initiate us on the whole process.

The entire group works like a well-oiled machine, and customers are always greeted with a smile and pleasant conversation. I never saw anyone unhappy with their visit to the store.

Although the food bank is a single example of volunteers with a passion to do something for others, there are countless others in our community.

From churches to community events there are dozens if not hundreds of people in this town that give back to the community to enrich others’ lives.

Some of those jobs are for pleasure, like entertainment venues while others are critical to peoples’ health such as helping provide healthy nutrition to children.

None of the people I’ve met expect anything in return; just the satisfaction that they are helping others in the community.

There are two things to remember about these folks.

One, they can always use your help if you have a few hours on a weekend or during the week.

Secondly, take time to tell them how much they’re appreciated when you see them working.

None of those heroes expect thanks, but a simple thank you would make their task a bit easier.

It’s humbling how fortunate we are to have so many caring people in this community.