JFS Partners with Organizations to Resume Volunteer Food Sorting Events 

Volunteer food sorting events have resumed at the JFS SOVA Community Food and Resource Program pantries after being paused for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Throughout the year, JFS SOVA collects non-perishable food donations from food drives. These non-perishable foods need to be inspected for safety and sorted into categories in preparation for distribution. Food sorted and packaged by volunteers is then distributed to clients at JFS SOVA’s pantries and pop-up pantries throughout Los Angeles.  

“Sorting donated food from the community is vital to keeping food flowing to the 9,000 monthly individuals we serve,” said Tiffany Sgueglia, Director of JFS SOVA. “It’s important we do this to ensure quality control so we can distribute safe food to all our clients.” 

The first event took place on May 1st with a group of 20 volunteers from the National League of Young Men, followed by a group of 13 Bank of America employees on May 15th. The National League of Young Men helped sort approximately 6,000 pounds of donated food into 26 different categories, boxing and stacking it all. The employees from Bank of America helped sort, box, and stack over 2,000 pounds of food. According to Tiffany Sgueglia, this amount is equivalent to nearly 3,200 meals served to community members.  

The Bank of America volunteer event was organized by Judy Rudzki, Director and Senior Treasury Officer with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and who is also a member of the JFS Board of Directors. Rudzki commented, “The Bank of America team loved our JFS SOVA volunteer event. It was a great Sunday morning and we are already looking forward to our next one.” 

JFSLA’s devoted community of volunteers help make the organization’s work possible. Volunteers at JFS SOVA help ensure that thousands of people receive free and nutritious groceries, personal care items, and supportive resources each month. “The volunteer teams were a pleasure to have,” said Sgueglia. “We love seeing companies with volunteers who are passionate about community engagement and volunteerism.” 

If you or your company would like to participate in a food sorting event, please reach out to Joyce Williams at jmwilliams@jfsla.org. 

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities, please visit www.jfsla.org/volunteer.