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Local Non-Profit Takes Time To Honor Volunteers

By Community Affairs reporter Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Friday was the final day of National Volunteer Week, a time when non-profits and agencies say thank you to the thousands who serve their community.

Philabundance uses about 16,000 volunteers each year to sort and pack food. Every month hundreds help pack more than 10,000 boxes of food for seniors.

So this week they honored 500 of their laborers of love.

"Without our volunteers, we couldn't put food out into the community," says Marlo DelSordo, spokesperson. "So we are really rolling out the red carpet. We have signage thanking them; we are giving them sunglasses, little ID holders, little keepsakes."

Dunkin donuts also provided free refreshments. But the appreciation also included a little work.

"My job is to sort through the food that has been donated and get rid of anything that is going bad or going to expire," says Amanda, 16. She was one of several dozen volunteers from Pennington School who spent their afternoon sorting and packing food boxes for those in need.

But the sophomore says she didn't volunteer for the coffee and donuts.

"I have always been fortunate to have a meal on the table," she says. "I cannot imagine not having food, so it's just a really fulfilling experience. I feel really lucky to be able to help anyone that I can."

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