By: Sarah Ryan, HOTC Volunteer Photojournalist

    HandsOn Twin cities volunteers helped unload and sort food that was delivered to Centro Food Shelf in South Minneapolis Tuesday March 29^th. Tatiana Avendano, the project coordinator, was very grateful for the help. “Everybody who usually comes to Centro comes to help with our other programs, not many come to do heavy lifting work. If you [volunteers] aren’t here, I’d be in trouble, because I would be unloading and organizing that truck delivery all by myself. This volunteer partnership with HandsOn gives me more time to meet with more people, more clients. Without volunteers, we’re nothing,” stated Avendano.

     Volunteer Andrea Donahue who came to help unload the delivery explained that she chose to volunteer at Centro because she wanted to see what kinds of food Twin Cities food shelves had to offer to families. “Hands On has a variety of opportunities including one to help at food shelves. I like that I’m actually doing something, getting a work out and not just sitting.” stated Donahue.

Erika Dani, another HandsOn volunteer, also enjoyed seeing the different types of foods donated, one of the reasons why she chose to participate in this particular project. “I also like that I’m doing something that doesn’t involve too much thinking, something that’s methodic like yoga, helping out here at Centro is just that,” explained Dani. 

            The project was a success, as all of the pallets from the delivery were cleared off and the food was brought into the food shelf room and sorted into its rightful place.  

Centro is a multiservice agency that offers services such as preschool, clinic, youth programs and a food shelf to the Latino community. The project is made possible through the funding from Greater Twin Cities United Way.