350 volunteers gathered at Patroon Land Farm on September 18, 2026 for the Regional Food Bank’s first annual 24‑hour Volunteer‑A‑Thon, a coordinated effort to address local food insecurity.
Patroon Land Farm provided the open fields and facilities needed for the large‑scale operation, allowing organizers to set up multiple work stations and accommodate the flow of volunteers throughout the day.
The marathon event kept volunteers on site for a full day, with participants rotating through stations that prepared food bank supplies for distribution. Organizers reported that the continuous schedule allowed the bank to process a larger volume of donations than in a typical single‑shift operation. Collectively, the volunteers contributed thousands of hours of labor over the 24‑hour period.
The Regional Food Bank highlighted the significance of the turnout, noting that the 350‑person workforce represents one of the largest community mobilizations for food assistance in the area. The bank plans to use the output from the event to replenish inventory at partner locations throughout the region.
Community members described the experience as a collective response to the growing need for food resources. The event’s timing coincided with recent reports of increased demand for emergency food aid, underscoring the relevance of a coordinated volunteer response.
Organizers intend to make the Volunteer‑A‑Thon an annual fixture, aiming to expand participation and further strengthen the local food safety net. The success of the inaugural effort, measured by the number of volunteers and the hours contributed, sets a baseline for future events.