5Ways to Turn Serving Food Into Summer Fun

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

Summer means time for fun with family and friends. Hopefully you’ll have a little extra time for new things and new adventures. Why not help out in the community, too?

Did you know 1 in 9 Georgia adults face food insecurity? And 1 in 8 children? We often focus on food drives in the winter months, but summer also is especially difficult. Fuel prices go up, making other expenses harder to manage, and children don’t have access to school meal programs.

There is an urgent need for pasta, peanut butter and rice at just about every food pantry. The good news is, you can do something to help — take a trip to the store or organize a local drive with your friends, neighbors or clubs. Visit justserve.org to find a pantry near you, or check out these five opportunities to donate or volunteer:

1. MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program (https://bit.ly/3LHrac3) is a great opportunity for families and groups. There are multiple ways to get involved, from packing to delivery.

2. Donate to the CHOICES4Kids Mobile Food Pantry (https://bit.ly/3nrBb4G). Visit the Marietta location on the second Friday of the month to help pack bags or volunteer in the distribution line.

3. Help meet the needs of the community with House of Hope Food Pantry (https://bit.ly/41RlrHb). Food donations are needed at the Canton-based nonprofit.

4. Sign up as a volunteer for Lasagna Love (https://bit.ly/3VofL5l). Cook a lasagna, and deliver it to someone in need in your area.

5. Help distribute food with Sweetwater Food Distribution (https://bit.ly/3HpgxJy). On Thursday evenings, greet those you want to help, and work for about two hours.

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. It’s never been easier to make a difference in someone’s life.

Justserve.org is a free, nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations and service opportunities. If you run a nonprofit, or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out justserve.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about organizations nearby, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve!