Foodshare's Retail Pick-up program has had tremendous success partnering with human service programs that offer assisted living and on the job assisted coaching. This team from Continuum of Care in Southington started volunteering in May 2012.
"Volunteering at Foodshare has opened up a whole new world for Jeremy and Eric. [They] both love wearing their Foodshare name tags—I believe it's because it shows they have 'jobs' and are contributing to the community," says Jackie Morrone of Continuum of Care.
Their case managers, Shem and Ernest, report that this program has helped with their social skills because they have to meet, greet, and maintain friendly relationships with the staff members of the stores and programs they visit. It gives structure to their week and they look forward to going each day.
Jackie believes their favorite days are the 'long days' when they go on two runs to Target in Southington and then to Price Rite in West Hartford. She says this is evidenced by the fact that they both come back smiling and often singing.
Even though this team just began with Foodshare a few months ago they are already making five runs a week, recovering an estimated 3000 pounds of food per month...that's 2,250 meals for our hungry neighbors! Thank you to Jeremy and Eric, their coaches Ernest, Jeff and Shem, and manager, Jackie.
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