St. Vincent de Paul Society – St. Mary Conference in Sterling, participated in the United Way’s Week of Caring (Sept. 6 – 12) by volunteering at the Sauk Valley Food Bank on Sept. 9th filling food boxes and performing various other tasks. The Sauk Valley Food Bank, started in 2001, provides food to various food pantries and other non-profit agencies in Whiteside County at a nominal cost. Area gardeners and businesses, such as Selmi’s Greenhouse and Farm Market in Rock Falls, Mitchell Melons in Tampico, and Blue Freedom Farm Market, Inc. in Sterling, also donate to the food bank. The Sauk Valley Food Bank handles more than 2 million pounds of food a year.
The Week of Caring, designed to connect volunteers with the needs of our community, offers volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and businesses. The Sauk Valley Food Bank coordinated with United Way of Whiteside County and provided volunteer opportunities through projects at their warehouse location in Sterling. The individuals in the pictures are Vincentians of St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Mary Conference in Sterling, working together to fill food boxes to be distributed to those in need in our community. These Vincentians got in the spirit of giving by participating and staying connected to our community. Through the Week of Caring coordinated by the United Way of Lee County and United Way of Whiteside County, projects are happening all across the Sauk Valley!
