Staff volunteer at Houston Food Bank

As part of its annual summer retreat, UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry staff participated in volunteer services at the Houston Food Bank on July 29.

Staff collaborated with each other to support the food bank’s mission to combat food insecurity across the Greater Houston area and beyond.

One-hundred and twenty-eight volunteers assisted with sorting, inspecting food donations, and repacking them for distribution, totaling 494 volunteer hours. Altogether, staff stacked 16 pallets of repackaged food, totaling 12,706 pounds. The School of Dentistry’s efforts will provide an estimated 10,589 meals to those in need.

The outreach event also served as a meaningful team-building opportunity. For many, the experience was eye-opening.

“Being there and seeing how much food goes out every day, and how much help is needed, really opened my eyes to the food insecurity across the community,” said Irene Flores, senior administrative coordinator in the Office of Student and Academic Affairs. “It made me realize that food insecurity impacts people from all walks of life, including families, children, and seniors.”

Others noted the positive environment and organization of the volunteer effort.

Several volunteers expressed interest in returning for future service opportunities.

“Volunteering for service has always been an important aspect of my life,” said Leah Williams, senior support assistant in the Bernard and Gloria Pepper Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “It’s incredibly valuable and heartwarming to work for a place that fosters a population of caring individuals who want to see the same goodness spread throughout our communities.”

After volunteering in the repacking room and warehouse, staff continued their retreat with afternoon presentations, including one “unpacking” the realities of food insecurity, led by Houston Food Bank representative Christine Mompoint.

The Houston Food Bank serves 18 counties across southeast Texas and supports approximately one million people who are experiencing food insecurity. In addition, the Houston Food Bank offers programs that help families achieve long-term stability including nutritional education, health management, and assistance in accessing state-funded support.