As part of the annual United Way Day of Caring, 50 employees from WaMu and Microsoft Corporation volunteered at Multi-Service Center's Federal Way Food Bank, Friday, September 21, to help promote volunteerism and to learn first-hand the issues of poverty in the Federal Way area.

"The food bank was bustling with people. It was great," said Denise Burns, supervisor of the MSC food bank.

Volunteers helped run the food bank, serving 185 people with emergency and supplemental food that day. In addition, volunteers worked in the warehouse, sorting canned goods and re-packaging bulk items. Volunteers are instrumental to the efficient function of the food bank, said Burns.

"Those who volunteered for us in the warehouse crated 15,000 pounds of food, which would have taken our staff two to three weeks to accomplish," Burns said. "Their time with us was invaluable in getting us ready for the busy winter months."

The Federal Way a.m. Kiwanis club also chipped in to help, feeding volunteers and Multi-Service Center staffers that day with a barbecue. The Kiwanians provide this service for MSC every year for Day of Caring.

Additionally, another group of 40 people from Microsoft volunteered at Multi-Service Center's emergency shelter in Kent, painting three housing units for homeless families.

Multi-Service Center, a United Way agency, helps 45,000 South King County residents a year become more self-sufficient through comprehensive services such as housing, food and clothing, educational programs and employment services.

The agency also operates the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which provides advocates for elderly residents of long-term care facilities. To learn more about the agency, log onto www.multi-servicecenter.com.