Members of AFSCME Locals #2186 and #2187 were at Philabundance pitching in to repack thousands of pounds of cabbage and pasta for distribution to the 500 agencies, pantries and soup kitchens the food bank supplies.
"We come here two or three times a year just to help give back to the community and help make up the food boxes that are actually going to some of our clients," said Judy Hoover.
"At the end, we are going to touch somebody," said Enrique Bravo. "Somebody's going to get this bag, and is going to cook a meal one day and that's what we want to do."
"I work for the department of human services," said Patrick Hume. "I work with a lot of needy people in my caseload. I just want to give back."
Also helping out today repacking all this food, were members of the group Philadelphia Fraternal organizations.
By the end of their shift volunteers, will have unpacked and repacked as much as 12,000 pounds of cabbage. The folks here at Philabundance say they couldn't do it without them.
"We don't have the kind of staff on hand to do this, and without them we wouldn't be able to take in these large donations and get them back out to people in a reasonable amount of time," says Jackie Yenerall of Philabundance.
AFSCME officials say like many people their members have been working without a pay raise since 2007, making them acutely aware of the challenges families face.
"I am struggling myself to maintain my own finances as well as pay for student loans," said Tanya Shirer. "I can pretty much understand what less fortunate families are dealing with."
"There are so many people without food and you don't realize it until after you've read the literature and be involved," Dorothea Wilson said.
"With the way the economy is more families than ever need this kind of food. I'm actually going to do two shifts today," said Steve Mora.
Volunteers say the work is completely different from what they do in their day jobs, but it is well worth giving up a part of their weekend.
