LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The South Plains Food Bank distributes more than 400 boxes of food daily, with help from volunteers.
Kris Perez is the volunteer coordinator for the South Plains Food Bank. He says volunteers are essential to its mission of helping families facing food insecurity.
“Without them, we can’t do what we do; we need them every day,” Perez said. “I know during the holiday season people get that warm fuzzy feeling and want to come help, but that help is needed year-round.”
Impact on volunteers
Salem Henry first started volunteering at the food bank for a class but continues to return to help, saying there’s no better feeling.
“It’s awesome knowing that everybody in all walks of life comes here to help these people out in need and that we all want the same thing,” Henry said. “Even with everything going on in the world we all still have this one common goal to help these people out.”
Mary Perez has volunteered for over a year. She said people of all ages and backgrounds come together at the food bank for one common goal.
“It’s so satisfying and gratifying,” Perez said. “There are some people who really need the help, we have some regular volunteers that I see all the time here, so we’re all like a family here now.”
Volunteer hours make impact
Kris Perez said the food bank logged 55,000 volunteer hours last year. He said just a couple of hours a month makes a big difference.
“I can’t save the world, because there’s a lot that goes on outside these walls,” Perez said. “But if I can help my neighbor just to give him something to eat, it’s pretty amazing.”
Perez said volunteering impacts both those receiving help and those providing it.
“The hardest part is just signing up, get out here, get the experience, and you can see how life-changing it is, not just for the people outside these walls but even in here, even for yourself, mainly for yourself,” Perez said. “You will see what a difference it can make.”
How to donate
For more information on how to donate to the 2025 U Can Share Food Drive, click here.
Copyright 2025 KCBD. All rights reserved.