SHA Volunteers Feel the Love

Shown in photo, left to right: Tamara Carerra of The Community Assistance Center and Judi Carlson with Wendy Lauber, Malachi’s Storehouse.

There was lots of love in the room at the annual Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Gratitude to donors and Volunteer drivers was expressed in a number of ways, including thank you from SHA leaders and agencies, delicious food and door prizes.

SHA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate hunger in the Metro Atlanta area by rescuing surplus food and delivering it to those in need. With a team of over 400 Volunteer drivers, SHA serves as the link between more than 50 donors and the front-line agencies that feed the hungry on a daily basis.

The event, held at Temple Sinai, attracted more than 140 Volunteers and guests according to Nicole Essawy who led an energetic planning committee. A number of Volunteers brought their children to the dinner. The kids got into the spirit by packing 100 lunch bags with sandwiches and other items donated from Whole Foods in Sandy Springs. The lunches were distributed by the Sandy Springs-based Community Assistance Center.

Donated food was the theme of the evening in more ways than one. The Rosenberg Financial Group sponsored a delicious dinner. Nothing Bundt Cakes in Sandy Springs provided decorated bundt cake centerpieces that doubled as door prizes. Generous businesses donated more than $1,000 in raffle prizes, including gift cards to food stores, restaurants and retail stores, car washes and spa treatments.

Greetings were delivered by outgoing SHA President David Schoenberg, incoming President Gareth Young and Director Joe Labriola. Community Assistance Center Executive Director Tamara Carrera spoke movingly about the impact of the food collected by SHA on members of the community.

Said SHA Director Joe Labriola, “Second Helpings Atlanta Volunteers crisscross the city seven days a week, rescuing nutritious food and delivering it to partner Agencies that serve those in need. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our Food Donors and financial supporters, the compassion of our partner Agencies and the enthusiasm and commitment of our Volunteers. The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is our way of saying thanks for all they do and is in every way a labor of love.”