GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – You may never have heard of a Bread Run, but it is a familiar and essential service for those who work with or rely on the Salvation Army in Green Bay.
Bread Runners are volunteers who collect bread and baked good donations from local businesses, bring them back to the Salvation Army and help distribute them to people in need.
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“Our volunteers will go out around 6:30 in the morning and visit local businesses that donate bread, baked goods and other items they don’t need,” said Michaela Koepp, volunteer specialist with the Greater Green Bay Salvation Army. “Instead of throwing them out, they donate them to us, and our volunteers bring everything back here.”
The need for drivers is critical to keeping the program running, as many clients depend on the donated food.
“Bread Run is a vital program for our clients,” Koepp said. “Some of our lunch guests will grab bread items to take with them, and that might be the only thing they eat for dinner. Especially on Fridays, it could be the only food they have for the weekend.”
Drivers collect donations Monday through Friday from businesses across Brown County using a Salvation Army van.
When volunteer numbers are low, full-time staff members are forced to step in and complete the runs in addition to their regular duties.
“It’s very important to alleviate some of the responsibility from staff having to go out on these runs,” said Sara Magnuson, food service coordinator for the Greater Green Bay Salvation Army. “It’s crucial to get those donations back here so they can be given to people in need.”
Koepp said the Bread Run program highlights the power of community partnerships.
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“I think it’s awesome to see everyone coming together — our volunteers, our staff and local businesses — all working together to support the community and help meet that extra need for assistance,” she said.
Those interested in becoming a Bread Run driver can contact the Salvation Army volunteer office at 920-593-2375. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and complete a background check.
