Volunteers Reach Out In Dozens Of Projects Across Sacramento Region

NORTH SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Hundreds of volunteers scoured the central valley on Friday with the mission of helping those in need.

Work in North Sacramento was one of 31 different projects in the greater Sacramento area as volunteers respond to the needs of the poor.

Sponsored by the United Way and Nationwide Insurance, they're an army of volunteers taking on poverty.

"There's a lot of hungry people out there and this is the least I can do,��� said volunteer Dawn Owen.

Friday's effort benefits Sacramento's senior gleaners, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes surplus food for the hungry in our community.

The group only has six staff members, so the boost in manpower is a big boost, says CEO Gary McDonald.

"Without this large group of people we would not be able to process the the food necessary to get it out to the agencies we partner with to feed the people in need," he said.

The projects in the region ranged from building garden beds at an affordable-housing complex to repairing a playground for foster kids.