DENVER -- Hunger can be found just about everywhere. But 7Everyday Hero Chuck Johnson has found a way to minimize the problem.
He is one of hundreds of volunteers at the Food Bank of the Rockies.
"This year, we're going to receive north of 45 million pounds of food," said Kevin Seggelke, President and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies.
To help make that food go further, the food bank relies on a strong team of volunteers.
"We had, last year, more than 135,000 hours donated to us. We couldn't run without volunteers," Seggelke said.
"Us type-a people have to find something to do and go out and get things done," Johnson said.
Johnson used to work as a credit analyst in the insurance industry.
"I got laid off like a lot of people did. I am a type-a individual and all of a sudden, boom, you have no meaning in life," Johnson said.
Volunteering helped lift him back up.
"You walk away and it's kind of like: Hey, I feel really good about this. I have actually maybe made a little dent in Denver's problems," Johnson said.
"Chuck is just one of our favorite guys. He's a great leader," Seggelke said.
Johnson is retired now, so he volunteers at the Food Bank of the Rockies in the reclamation area every week.
"I am here Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings. So, I have the afternoons off," Johnson said.
He applied his management expertise from the working world to the non-profit arena and the results are helping him and thousands of hungry Coloradans.
"We estimate more than 400,000 individuals receive food us and our pantries, the food pantries that we work with," Seggelke said.
"I don't understand when people say: 'This is a burden, you're doing extra.' No! This is normal, this is what we do. And everybody should volunteer," Johnson said.
To learn more about the Food Bank of the Rockies go to www.foodbankrockies.org.
Mitch Jelniker anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30 to 7 a.m. He also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on 7NEWS. Follow Mitch on Facebook and Twitter. Nominate a 7Everyday Hero here.
