We're appreciative of our volunteers all year long, but National Volunteer Month allows us to shower volunteers with love and gratitude for their tireless commitment to our neighbors struggling with hunger.

John has always gravitated to organizations fighting hunger. He was greatly inspired by his mother who volunteered regularly at their local food bank. He sees hunger as a universal issue and recognizes the great need in our community.

“I wish people knew how great a need there is. You think about the low unemployment rate and then contrast that with just a small glimmer of what we see. There’s a need out there that food banks and agencies fill every day.”

John has already earned his Very Important Volunteer (VIV) status for the year. To earn this recognition, a VIV must visit the Foodbank at least five times in a calendar year.

In addition to his weekly visit, John and his wife, Karen, volunteer at the Foodbank’s monthly Neighborhood Distributions. Last year, Karen brought a group of friends to volunteer at one of the distributions for her birthday!

John loves the welcoming environment of the volunteer center and the friendships that have formed in his weekly volunteer group. He describes a feeling of accomplishment and joy that follows every morning spent sorting and inspecting donated food.

“You just feel good afterward. There’s all kinds of crazy things going on with the world and everybody’s got issues in their lives, but when you volunteer even in a small way, you just feel that much better for it.”

We are very lucky to have such caring volunteers like John. To all Foodbank volunteers, thank you for being such integral members of our Foodbank family! We appreciate all you do!

 

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