When you volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, you help those facing hunger in your community. You fill children’s bellies with healthy food, you provide seniors with nutritious meals, and you supply individuals and families with the groceries they need to stay healthy and strong. And the best part about volunteering… it’s rewarding for everyone involved! It doesn’t just help those with food insecurity, it highly benefits you as well.
5 BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
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Volunteering is good for your healthDid you know that volunteering is a remedy for stress, anger, and anxiety? When we help someone it triggers a release of oxytocin (a chemical that boosts our mood) and also counteracts the effects of cortisol (the dreaded stress hormone). The higher your levels of oxytocin, the more you want to help others. When oxytocin is boosted, so are serotonin and dopamine. Ultimately, doing good is actually good for your mood!*
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Volunteering expands your social circleMaking friends isn’t always easy. But when you volunteer, you meet people who already share a common interest: the desire to make the world a better place. You’re not only able to connect with the people you are helping, you’re also able to develop strong friendships with fellow volunteers.
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Volunteering can advance your careerWhen you volunteer, you practice important skills used in the workplace such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, project planning, task management, and organization. Plus, it connects you with your community—and what employer wouldn’t like to see “Volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank” on a resume?
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Volunteering boosts your self-esteemStudies show that volunteering provides you with a sense of purpose and pride. The more you give back to others, the more pleased you become with yourself knowing how much of a difference you’ve made in other people’s lives.
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Volunteering allows you to make a real difference in your communityEvery piece of produce you glean, every can of food you pack, and every grocery box you distribute helps feed the one in six people who face hunger every day in our community. By volunteering with the Redwood Empire Food Bank, you are helping to feed the 30,000 families that show up at our doorstep every month.
