The 452,000 pounds of food that local farms donate to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield each year is a lot to sort and pack.
To get it done, the Food Bank relies on a corps of volunteers, but it needs more, organizations officials say.
“Currently, the Food Bank has an immediate need for more volunteers,” said spokesman Chris Wojcik. “Volunteers play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the organization.”
Volunteers will help pack dry goods, frozen meat, dairy products and seasonal produce donated from local supermarkets and farms.
The food collected by the Food Bank is sent to member agencies in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, where it is distributed to people experiencing food insecurity.
The organization also runs a Brown Bag: Food for Elders program that distributed food to nearly 8,000 senior citizens last year.
Participants must be at least 16 years old, and both morning an afternoon shifts are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit www.foodbankwma.org/get-involved/volunteer, or e-mail kellyh@foodbankwma.org.