Northwestern Mutual MLK day clean up group
The Gathering relies on hundreds of individuals and groups who donate their time and expertise. Volunteers do 98% of the direct service work. Numbers provided below are based on available tracking, observation and best practices.
SERVICE VOLUNTEERS - 36,399 Donated Hours
Volunteers come to the Gathering as individuals or as groups, one time or daily. In FY2012/2013, 163 different groups served meals at Gathering sites: 44 businesses/organizations, 58 religious institutions, 29 schools, and 32 service groups and families. At weekday meals these groups worked alongside individuals from the community and from our guest population. Each meal required 12-20 volunteers, resulting in 29,076 donated hours of service. Produce Preservation volunteers, bag lunch makers, serving group recruiters, cleaning groups, and cook team volunteers made up the remainder of the donated hours.
Breakfast Program serving line
LEADERSHIP VOLUNTEERS - 67 Volunteers
These volunteers serve as lead cooks and coordinators for our Saturday lunch programs. They serve in roles that would otherwise have to be covered by paid staff. In FY 2012/2013 these leadership volunteers provided 2,934 hours valued at $52,988.