Second Harvest hosts Fill the Van event, gathers donations

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) - Second Harvest Community Food Bank is continuing it's mission to fight hunger as one of many "Fill the Van" events taking playing at the St. Joseph Hy-vee on Friday.

Volunteers collected donations at both entrances of the store, with donations primarily consisting of canned fruit and vegetables, packaged meals, rice, pasta and other nonperishable food items to fill the van.

All donations collected will go to assist local children's programs and Second Harvest agency partner pantries within St. Joseph.

"Second Harvest is a really good volunteering program because they have a wide reach," Veronica Vann, a bank teller at First Option and volunteer, said. "We've done a lot of work with Second Harvest and they always have good outcomes with the help they provide to the community."

The donations received today ranged in the average amount received, which is roughly three to four carts full of items. Vann said sometimes at certain points in the afternoon see an uptick in donations.

"Today has been pretty steady in terms of donations we've received," she said. "I know the group on the other side of the store has received quite a bit of donations. The afternoon time frame, when people are running into Hy-Vee during their lunch hour is where people are usually more likely to stop by. Other than than, we've seen a normal flow of people coming to shop, but any any donation helps."

Second Harvest will continue holding "Fill the Van" and other donation based events will be held from now until October. To find out more about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit Second Harvest's Facebook page.

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