Disability Pride Month: Meet a Deaf Volunteer Who Is Thriving at Feeding San Diego
July is Disability Pride Month, which commemorates the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. We spoke to one of our long-time volunteers, Marjorie, about her experience volunteering as a deaf person. Marjorie started volunteering with Feeding San Diego in 2012 and is marking ten years of volunteer service this year. Since she started volunteering, she has donated more than 3,750 hours to help end hunger through food rescue! We are so inspired by Marjorie’s dedication and generosity to our organization. Feeding San Diego is proud to be an inclusive organization that welcomes and supports people with disabilities (or, as Marjorie likes to call it, capabilities!)
Marjorie in 2019 at a Feeding San Diego volunteer shift
Q: Various terms are used in the Deaf and hearing-impaired communities. How do you prefer to identify?
A: I identify as being “deaf” with a lower case d. Being “Deaf” with an uppercase D is a more activist and “intra-group” label. Identifying as being “deaf” with a lowercase d simply means that I am a member of a large global community: the community of people who live with a hearing loss. I can communicate in two languages – English and American Sign Language – and I am immersed in two worlds: the hearing world and the deaf world. I can speak and lipread well.
Q: How did you first get started volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
A: I found Feeding San Diego on the internet. It’s been an amazing 9+ years so far at Feeding San Diego. Over 3,750 hours later, I am still very committed to dedicating my time as a volunteer in an effort to support Feeding San Diego’s mission to end hunger for families, children, seniors, military members, and other individuals across San Diego County. I have been very fortunate to have been involved in many kinds of community service projects all over the world.
Marjorie showing off her reoccurring volunteer badge
Q: What made you decide to donate time to Feeding San Diego?
A: It has been said so often that the U.S. is the wealthiest country on earth. Yet food insecurity seems to be increasing over time. Combating hunger seems like one of the more fundamental ways to improve the quality of life for so many of our fellow citizens.
Q: You’ve been volunteering with us for almost ten years, which is incredible! What keeps you coming back?
A: This September marks my 10-year anniversary as a volunteer at Feeding San Diego. Wow! I keep coming back because I still have the desire, the time, and the ability to continue helping to provide healthy and nutritious food to those in need. I feel so warmly welcomed by the Feeding San Diego staff and other volunteers.
Q: In what ways does Feeding San Diego make you feel welcomed and comfortable while volunteering?
A: Feeding San Diego makes it a point to be very inclusive. They serve the needs of people of all backgrounds and welcome volunteers of all kinds. The Feeding San Diego staff are so mindful about my need to be able to lipread them (or to use pen and paper if they are wearing a mask). They don’t seem to mind it whenever I need them to repeat instructions or demonstrate a task. I enjoy both working independently as well as being part of a team–whatever it takes to get the job done!
Marjorie snaps a selfie while sorting corn at a volunteer shift
Q: You recently helped host an entirely deaf group of volunteers. Can you tell us a bit about what the experience of leading the shift was like for you?
Over the years, I have met several deaf volunteers and have made sure to introduce myself and welcome them by communicating in American Sign Language (ASL).
Back in 2018, I recognized a deaf volunteer who came in with her young daughter’s Girl Scout troop. A short time later, she returned with her own group called the “Deaf Gorgeous Green Ladies Club.” They didn’t need to hire an interpreter for the tour to lead the shift. They had ME instead!
It was such an honor and pleasure to be the one to lead this group. Together we worked for two hours gleaning produce and building food orders for Feeding San Diego communities. I used my voice as needed to my hearing staff and volunteers. Otherwise, the rest of the shift was communicated in American Sign Language.
Marjorie signs instructions for participants of a volunteer shift for the deaf community at Feeding San Diego
Q: What would you say to others in the disability community who are interested in volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
I prefer to use the word “capability” instead of “disability.” Feeding San Diego accommodates the needs and capabilities of any volunteer who wishes to contribute their energy and time to help. For me, there is no task too big or too small. I’m a Jack-of-all-trades!
Feeding San Diego accommodates the needs and capabilities of any volunteer who wishes to contribute their energy and time to help.
Feeding San Diego welcomes your support to donate, advocate, and volunteer your time. There is no doubt that you can make a difference in the lives of your community members when you contribute in any way you can to Feeding San Diego.
Interested in Volunteering?
We would love to have you! Volunteers ages six and up can sign up for a shift at our distribution center to glean, sort, and pack food to be distributed to the community. There are four shifts every day, Monday through Saturday. We also have a variety of other volunteer opportunities available throughout San Diego County. Learn more about volunteering at Feeding San Diego and sign up for a shift today!
