Last Thursday morning Merida employees gathered at our Boston office bright and early to set off on a volunteer project with the Greater Boston Food Bank. Dressed in matching shirts designed exclusively for the event by resident design intern Lauren Song, we were greeted by the GBFB staff upon arrival and escorted to a classroom upstairs to learn the drill. Funnyman Kelly gave us an overview of the process and instructions on how the food is sorted. Sorting categories range from health products (toothpaste, deodorant, make-up, etc) to protein (beans, hash, tuna fish, etc.) to beverages. We got a detailed overview on acceptable products versus waste products – waste products are defined as specific expired products, cans with multiple dents, and opened or used products.
Not having any personal experience with the Food Bank myself, I was floored with the staff, facility and organization of the company. That being said, I thought I was a sorting expert after our extensive introductory classroom training….until I hit the sorting floor where all the action happens!!
Each sorter chose a category or two to cover; I had protein/beans and simple starches. Once situated, a few of my fellow volunteers loaded up a conveyor belt with donated products (mainly waste and/or defective items from large retailers such as Stop & Shop, CVS, and Walgreens). The conveyor belt then moved the products down the line and each person was responsible for spotting their particular products, snatching them off the conveyor belt, inspecting them and putting the good products aside in a box. Sounds like a cinch, but I was pleasantly surprised at how fast-paced and friendly the environment was.
We finished our sorting shift in the early afternoon, and I was astonished to learn what a huge contribution we made – and all while having fun! In just a few short hours 37 people were able to sort 5,434 pounds of food, 80% of which was salvageable. That totals to 3,330 meals made possible for people in need.
Merida is proud to have contributed to such a great cause and I urge others to try to take some time out of your busy schedules to give back to the community – you might just surprise yourself and enjoy doing it!
T-shirt Designer Lauren Song (center)
The Merida Team
