National Volunteer Month, held throughout April each year, is a fun, busy time for our staff at Lemontree. We get to celebrate the amazing corporate partners we have and connect with their employees to make a meaningful impact on our neighbors. This April was my first time experiencing NVM at Lemontree and while I could probably use a nap, I’m also incredibly inspired. 

There was so much enthusiasm around giving back that NVM events extended past April and lasted all throughout May! Since April 1st, Lemontree has hosted 18 different live events and multiple self-serve opportunities for over 15 of our partners. What does this look like in terms of impact? Let’s break it down: 

Between April and May: 

  • 1,265 volunteers spent time helping Lemontree clients 
  • 37,000+ hungry households were connected to free food by volunteers
  • $700,000+ of food was unlocked for clients by volunteers 

While these numbers speak for themselves 🎉, it’s breathtaking for me to see how many clients have been helped because of the incredible efforts our volunteers put in. 

In addition to being the crucial bridge between hungry families and the food they need, volunteers wrote personal messages showcasing warmth and empathy to each client they served. In events, I often tell volunteers to write these notes as though you’re writing to your friend. That personal touch breaks through the stigma associated with assistance and helps clients feel comfortable accessing food resources. 

I’ve had the privilege of reading some of these personal messages and even teared up a few times (okay, maybe more than a few times!) 

I’m closing out this month energized about our upcoming summer volunteer events, and with so much appreciation for the support our corporate partners provide us. Lemontree is now serving 7,000 households a day and we expect that number to keep growing as schools, and their nutrition programs, close for summer break. We’re grateful to our partners to help us meet that need 🍋

Thank you for an amazing National Volunteer Month! To learn more about volunteering with Lemontree, visit foodhelpline.org/volunteer . 

National Volunteer Month Makes Big Impact!