RENO, NV -- Yesterday was the fourth year that the Food Bank of Northern Nevada honored the MLK National Day of Service with volunteer sessions for residents to help sort and pack food. Organizers say about 90 volunteers signed up to help this year, which is a great turnout.

“People love the national day of service because they get a day off from work, but then their giving back to the community,” Jocelyn Lantrip with the Northern Nevada Food Bank said. “People are coming out here and helping to feed people. I think it’s a great thing to do.”

Volunteer Craig Warner agrees. He has helped at the Food Bank before and says it’s really rewarding to see how many people came out to help.  “Well everybody needs a helping hand sometimes,” Warner said. “I’m sure those folks really appreciate getting the food that they need and we enjoy helping get that food to them.”

Lantrip says the volunteers organized donated food and drinks, and put them into boxes so they can go on their shopping list for agencies.  She says the Food Bank really appreciates all the help, since sorting can get pretty labor intensive.  “It makes a difference,” Lantrip said. “Every single hour that people donate, every single can that they give us, every single dollar, it makes a difference for the lives of the hungry in our community.”

And that’s why 7^th grader Cynicia Ruiz volunteers her time.  “I sometimes come on Martin Luther king Jr. Day and sometimes on any other day,” Ruiz said. “It just helps knowing that you can help the community by helping with little things.”

For more information on how you can help feed the hungry, visit www.fbnn.org.