National Volunteer Week celebrates the impact of volunteer service at Philabundance and spotlights some of our most dedicated volunteers over the last year.

1. Tell me about your role as a volunteer with Philabundance. What do you do?

When I first came to Philabundance, I started working at the community food bank when it was at 6th & Lehigh. When that closed, I was asked to help take calls for the food hotline. I did that for a while, and then as that got phased out, they needed assistance with monitoring visits. I also started helping out with the Grocers Against Hunger Program, which I usually help out on Thursdays. That’s how I got involved with Agency Services, essentially assisting them wherever they needed. I’ve been an Ambassador for about two years as well.

2. Why do you choose to volunteer with Philabundance?

One thing I always thought when people were calling the hotline is that they might have felt embarrassed to ask for help; but it could be any one of us in that situation. For me, I enjoy making connections with people and feeling like I’m making a difference.

3. What’s your favorite memory from your time volunteering at Philabundance?

I think it’s the people that work at Philabundance that I have gotten to know. You get to know them personally and become friends. Also, I think some of the memories of talking to the people that you help serve are my favorite.

4. What do you think other people interested in volunteering at Philabundance should know about our programs?

There are people in every neighborhood who need help. I don’t know if people are fully aware of the need that exists, even out in the suburbs, in places like Montgomery County or Bucks County.

5. Philabundance’s mission is to relieve hunger now and end hunger for good. How do you think we, as a community, can end hunger?

I’ll go back to if more people knew. I really think the awareness isn’t there for a lot of people. I think a lot of people feel like it’s not going to happen to them, because of what they have or where they live. But there’s a lot of people, through no fault of their own, who lost their job. They were going about their daily life and now all of a sudden, things have drastically changed.

6. Are there any other thoughts you’d like to share about hunger, volunteering or Philabundance?

Even if you just have a couple of hours to volunteer, there’s definitely things you can do and ways you can help. I would encourage you to give a little bit of your time.