Not too late to 'Love Modesto'

Volunteers on Saturday will be collecting food and clothes in neighborhoods for Inter-Faith Ministries as part of Love Modesto, the annual citywide community service day that’s expected to draw more than 5,000 participants working on more than 90 projects.

Inter-Faith CEO Elizabeth Greenlee-Harrison said Love Modesto brings in lots of food for her nonprofit agency. The event also brings in food to Inter-Faith’s roughly 70 coalition members who provide for the needy at a time of the year when many people may not think about donating. Inter-Faith also shares donated clothing with coalition members that operate clothes closets.

It’s not too late to help. Many of the projects still need volunteers for acts like delivering homemade treats and notes of encouragement to first responders, and giving haircuts to residents at Ralston Tower senior complex and bathing their dogs.

Additional projects in need of volunteers include cleanups at parks and schools, and helping to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Greenlee-Harrison said Love Modesto stirs something inside residents to participate in their community and make volunteering part of their lives.

“Love Modesto brings us all kinds of new volunteers and awareness,” she said. “They see what we are about and get engaged in the community. I think it’s one of our favorite days, with all the nonprofits, all the clubs and groups working together.”

She said Save Mart Supermarkets recently distributed fliers in neighborhoods. The fliers, which are stapled to grocery bags, tell residents about Saturday’s food and clothes drive. Residents also can donate money. Greenlee-Harrison said Inter-Faith provides food for about 55,000 people each year through its Feed Modesto Pantry and its other programs.

To learn more about Love Modesto and Saturday’s event, including how to volunteer, visit www.lovemodesto.com.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Not too late to 'Love Modesto'."