Volunteer Drivers Needed To Deliver Food Bank Provisions

RESTON, VA — The coronavirus pandemic has created hardships for many people across Northern Virginia, and many area food banks have been forced to cancel in-person shopping. In addition, the pandemic has seen a decrease in the number of volunteer drivers available to shuttle passengers to pickup food.

Mobility NetWorks! and NV Rides are looking for volunteers interested in delivering food bank provisions to elderly and disabled members of community. These are "contactless" opportunities, in which volunteers can safely drop-off the supplies for the persons in need.

NV Rides supports a network of volunteer driver programs that transport older adults to medical appointments and the grocery store. In 2018, NV Rides' volunteer driver programs provided more than 9,500 rides for 982 individuals.

“We’ve had great success partnering with the Mobility NetWorks!” said NV Rides Manager Jennifer Kanarek, in a release. “They’ve been successful recruiting bilingual volunteers who help us serve those who need it most. This pandemic has presented challenges we haven’t seen before so we are constantly adapting our programs to ensure that we are able to serve those who are most affected.”

Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer driver and help local food banks deliver food to their customers can contact Karla Nativi at 571-455-2836 and knativi@datatrans.org, or Luke Frazza at 703-819-3459 and jfrazza@datatrans.org. There is a particular need for bilingual volunteers.

“At Mobility NetWorks! we consider mobility a basic human right and we are always looking for ways to help those with transportation challenges," said Sarah McGowan, Mobility NetWorks! project manager, in a release. "When NV Rides asked our help in expanding their volunteer driver program to get food to those with transportation obstacles, we were happy to offer our help.”

How To Support The Patch Holiday Food Drive

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.