Factory Food Pantry Needs Volunteers

Kerri Burns, market director with The Factory Market, is well acquainted with the experience of being a volunteer at the food pantry. Several years ago, when her son turned 13, she was looking for a summer volunteer opportunity that they could participate in together. "I wanted to do something intentional," recalled Burns, who volunteered to help with market appointments for two hours a week. "He loved it, and I loved it too," she stated.

Burns has now been running the market for more than five years. She believes in the market, which exists to support individuals and families in the community facing food insecurity. "It's more than a food pantry," she stated. "It's a place where people are met with dignity, choice, and care. Our goal is to not only provide food but to build relationships and community in the process."

One of the ways the market does that is through the Factory Bucks empowerment system. "When you show up the first time (for food), you can shop, no questions asked," explained Burns. "After that, you need to get connected, so you need to meet with your advocate or attend one of our programs, such as cooking, finance, or a flower class." Burns explained that participants receive Factory Bucks for each of those actions, among others. "Then, you make an appointment and shop here using Factory Bucks," explained Burns, who added that clients make 20-minute appointments during which they may choose 30 Factory Bucks worth of food and 5 Bucks of nonfood items. "Many things are free," she added, noting that staples, such as milk, and perishables, like baked goods, are often among those items for which there is no charge.

To keep the market humming, Burns depends on volunteer power. "We truly couldn't operate without our volunteers," she shared. "They are the heart and hands of everything we do, from stocking shelves to picking up donations to helping guests shop to offering a listening ear." Burns noted that volunteers are often the face of the ministry. "Each person who gives their time helps to make The Factory Market a welcoming and dignified space," she noted, adding that volunteers impact a client's experience. "The volunteers get to know the shoppers," she pointed out. "They learn their names, remember their stories, and offer a warm welcome." She pointed out that volunteers often earn the trust of clients they see each week. "That kind of connect is just as important as the food we provide," she stated. "It's what transforms the market from a service to a community."

Marie Glass, a longtime Factory volunteer, loves the atmosphere at the market. "I volunteer because it's such a great place to work," she said, noting that her time helping shoppers is especially rewarding. "I enjoy helping people put meals together and seeing them being able to make choices," she said.

Hilda Zook, who often volunteers alongside Glass, said that she became involved after helping to pack and distribute school lunches when COVID-19 restrictions were in place. She found that she especially enjoyed working with the other volunteers. "This was a really good opportunity to be involved," she said.

Burns noted that most market workers are retired and that the seniors bring "wisdom, compassion, and consistency" to the job. She added that she also loves having younger volunteers, including students and parents with flexible schedules that allow them to give an hour or two a week. Burns is willing to work with potential volunteers to find work that they are comfortable with. She noted that there are a number of ways to volunteer, including stocking shelves behind the scenes or picking up donations, as well as interacting with clients.

Burns is looking for a few volunteers to fulfill specific jobs, including a person to travel to New Holland Mennonite Church each Wednesday morning to pick up 10 to 30 pounds of packaged produce from the Sprouts for Peace Garden. She is also in need of substitute drivers, shelf stockers, and volunteers to help with market appointments. During the summer, when many people take vacation, Burns relies on substitutes. "The way it works is I call or text, and if it works, great," she stated. "If not, I move to the next person." Burns added that most drivers who pick up from donors travel to Gap or Strasburg.

Burns pointed out that volunteers help The Factory Ministries to make its own bucks go further. "We have logged 1,500 volunteer hours since September 2024," said Burns. "That has saved The Factory more than $46,000."

Readers who would like to volunteer at The Factory Market may email kerri@thefactoryministries.com or call 717-687-9594. Burns is also happy to give tours. "Stop in and learn more," she stated. Information about The Factory Ministries may be found at https://thefactoryministries.com.