I am so thankful to have thus far been healthy during this pandemic. I also consider myself lucky and blessed to not have to worry about where my next meal is coming from because there are so many people in our community who do have to wonder how they’re going to feed their family or themselves. With all that in mind, I’ve been very motivated to give back to these community members in need right now. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to volunteer via both the Houston Food Bank and BakerRipley and they were both very positive experiences.

Earlier this month, I spent an afternoon helping pack a bunch of breakfast/snack boxes for school kids at the Houston Food Bank. It actually ended up being a pretty busy day as I also had a closing, got a new lease listing, and tested negative for COVID-19. What a Friday! Anyway, it’s super easy to sign up to volunteer at the food bank, and I felt really safe volunteering there too. They checked temperatures and masks and gloves were provided after you washed your hands. It was all just super organized. And I’d like to thank my neighbor William, who’s in the development office for the food bank, for inspiring me to volunteer here. Thanks William! You can find volunteer opportunities with the food bank that work for you and sign up for them here.

Then, last week, I was part of a group of Boulevard agents and staff members who volunteered at a BakerRipley Community Food Fair. We spent the first half of the morning filling big brown bags with healthy food and drinks, then the latter half was dedicated to distributing these bags by placing them in the trunks of cars that filed in and out of the BakerRipley House parking lot. This was also a very organized event, with temperature checks, masks, and gloves. They provided breakfast and lunch too! You can sign up for one of their upcoming Food Fairs here.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has dramatically increased food insecurity throughout our region. Luckily, organizations like the Houston Food Bank and BakerRipley are committed to meeting the high demand. They’re in need of many volunteers though so I encourage you to give back some of your time by volunteering if you’re able.