This week marks National Volunteer Week and opportunities to support Bronxites abound at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC).

 

MMCC is currently seeking volunteers to help distribute food at the center’s community food pantry. Open to the public four times a month, the pantry operates on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

“The pantry is a direct response to COVID,” said Lenora Sealey, director of support services at MCCC. “Before the pandemic we
were servicing 800 people a month. Now, we’re servicing close to 3,000. It’s people off the street who come to get food, people
with businesses; it’s everybody. Food insecurity doesn’t have a face.”

 

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden designated April 18 through April 24, 2021 as National Volunteer Week. In addition to recognizing the power of volunteerism, this time also serves as an opportunity to encourage more Americans to join the country’s volunteering ranks.

 

Aside from its food pantry program, MMCC is currently developing other volunteer programs, both in-person and virtual, to offer Bronxites the opportunity to support their local community beyond National Volunteer Week. These include opportunities to volunteer at MMCC’s child development and senior centers, work on maintenance and gardening projects, and volunteer with the center’s workforce development and after-school programs.

 

The nonprofit, New York Cares, produced a short 30 second video in 2019, in which volunteers explain why they choose to volunteer. The video can be watched below.

 

According to Americorps, whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering, the top ten cities in America in terms of the percentage of adult volunteers are Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Rochester, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Portland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Raleigh and Baltimore.

 

Meanwhile, Americorps reports that 24.8 percent of Silent Generation Americans volunteer, 30.7 percent of Baby Boomers volunteer, 36.4 percent of Generation X Americans volunteer, 28.2 percent of Millennials volunteer, and 26.1 percent of Generation Y Americans volunteer. The group also found that 30.0 percent of veterans volunteer, 39.9 percent of parents volunteer, 26.5 percent of men volunteer and 33.8 percent of women volunteer.

 

Last year, more than 14,900 Americans of all ages and backgrounds united to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity through national service in New York State, according to AmeriCorps.

 

According to the nonprofit, Points of Light, National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. “Today, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic life has evolved,” the group says. “Whether online, at the office, or the local food bank; whether with a vote, a voice, or a wallet – doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.”

 

For the first time ever, in 2020, Points of Light also declared April to be Global Volunteer Month, instigated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic which was at its first peak in April 2020.

 

Norwood News recently reported on MMCC’s efforts to support second-chance students in completing their high-school diplomas.

 

For more information and to register to volunteer, contact MCCC’s volunteer coordinator, Rase De Los Santos, at (718) 882-4000, email rdelossantos@mmcc.org, or visit https://www.mmcc.org/volunteer/.