North County Times

On Sunday, October 24 2010, North County Times published an article about the new garden at North County's Food Bank. Since this project was the subject of our last blog post, I won't go on and on about how Genentech volunteers came out on October 13th and put the gardens in, or how it is maintained by volunteers, or how the produce supports those in need. I'll just let you know you can click on this post title to check out the full article.

~Abby Weglarz~

~Volunteer Coordinator~

~North County Community Services~

Genentech volunteers garden at the Food Bank

On October 13th, a group of 20 volunteers from Genentech spent nearly 5 hours working at the North County Food Bank. Groups of volunteers are nothing new to the Food Bank, but this past Wednesday, Genentech did a project that was extra special. They showed up in awesome volunteer t-shirts and spent nearly 5 hours shoveling, raking, digging, mixing, and planting dirt. They converted a barren patch of land into a productive vegetable and herb garden. In addition to putting in garden beds, they also installed a compost container to recycle vegetable waste back into the garden, and filled planter pots with soil and herbs to greet those entering through the office.

The garden will be maintained by volunteers at the Food Bank. It is not protected by a fence, so it is expected that if people are hungry and want something out of the garden, they can just take it. Extra vegetables and herbs will be distributed through the Food Bank.

If you are interested in helping with this or any of our other garden projects throughout North County, please contact Abby at volunteer@sdnccs.org, or call 760-471-5483

Click on the post title to see more pictures of the volunteer day!

Thank you Genentech!

Thank you San Diego County!

I have to say, I am impressed.

Actually, to be completely honest, I'm even a little shocked. Like I said in a previous post, I'm new to California. I have been volunteering on and off since high school in Michigan, and started working for nonprofit organizations while attending college in Wisconsin, where I minored in Volunteerism and Community Organizing. Since then, I spent a year as an AmeriCorps member in West Virginia, working for a nonprofit agency there.

In my studies, work, and travel, I have never seen a volunteer culture as organized and eager as San Diego County. I know volunteering is a growing trend nationally, and increasingly vital to keep nonprofit agencies serving those in need. But this place is really ahead of the curve! From corporate community service projects, to Service Learning college and university departments, to individuals who want to contribute to their communities, this place has got it going on! Additionally, Volunteer San Diego makes it easy to connect with volunteer opportunities all over the county, from one-time events, to ongoing opportunities. (If you haven't been to the website, check it out!) All this energy, infrastructure, and eagerness makes my position as Volunteer Coordinator for North County Community Services exciting and rewarding (and pretty darn busy!).

Thank you volunteers, and all the people that have brought community service in San Diego County to where it is today.

Abby Weglarz

Volunteer Coordinator

North County Community Services