In Honor of National Volunteer Month, We Celebrate the Voices of Some of Feeding San Diego’s Finest
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill
Volunteering is a selfless act that brings people together, forges community and strengthens the economy. It’s also a vital part of our organization, and all non-profit organizations. April is National Volunteer Month, and we are reflecting on the service of our volunteers that devote their time to helping to end hunger through food rescue. Feeding San Diego volunteers give so much in addition to their time and skills. They also infuse energy into our day-to-day operations and bring positive attitudes, optimism, and friendliness to every shift.
In March of 2020, our volunteer operations ground to a halt, much like everything else in the world. As we regrouped after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized that our volunteer base would need to shrink to adhere to social distancing measures and gathering restrictions. In a matter of a month, we drastically reduced our number of volunteers. While it was hard to lose so many of our incredible volunteers, we realized that power in numbers can remain a strong force even with smaller numbers. Now that we have entered the Orange Tier, we are elated to be able to welcome back volunteers to our distribution center and build our base back up.
On our new website, we give volunteer shouts outs to volunteers that have logged significant hours in FY20 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020), from 50 to 300! We had the chance to speak to a handful of these volunteers about their journeys and what civic service means to them. Here are our conversations.
Mickey Sands: 300 Hours
Q: When did you start volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
A: I started over five years ago.
Q: How does it feel to have hit the 200-hour mark?
A: It doesn’t feel any different at 300 hours.
Q: What is your favorite task to do when volunteering?
A: My favorite task is doing what others don’t want to do.
Q: Can you share the most meaningful moment that has happened to you while volunteering?
A: Finding out that Kristan (another volunteer) and I are “heart buddies,” that someone else really understands what it is like to have multiple heart problems. There is comradery with volunteers and staff.
Q: Why should others volunteer?
A: I volunteer to serve humanity while staying active, and it makes me feel very satisfied. I have become more sociable.
Audrey Gipson: 200 Hours
Q: When did you start volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
A: I started in March 2020 when the pandemic policies were put in place. I was part of the Community Emergency Response Team for the city of San Diego, and they needed volunteers. After CERT had focused their attention on other emergencies, I stayed on. I loved the people I worked with, and I really wanted to help my community.
Q: How does it feel to have hit the 200-hour mark?
A: It went by so quickly. At first, I didn’t want to know, but then I had a little curiosity, and Chase Eckman showed me how many hours that I had accumulated. It was mind-blowing!
Q: What is your favorite task to do when volunteering?
A: I love all the tasks that help, especially gleaning and doing special projects with the other managers. Best of all is when you meet new volunteers, then you form a bond. It makes volunteering fun.
Q: Can you share the most meaningful moment that has happened to you while volunteering?
A: The most touching moment for me is at the distribution sites when people who receive the food thank you and bless you for all the work and volunteering. It makes every day of volunteering worthwhile.
Q: Why should others volunteer?
A: Service to your community. Making sure that others are able to eat. One or a few volunteer hours make a huge difference. You can tell when people and children at distribution sites receive their food. This community is grateful for what we do and that makes me want to help more.
Harriet Deppe: 100 Hours
Q: When did you start volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
A: I started with Feeding San Diego in 2019. Of course, you know that we shut down in March and April of 2020. When Sam (Duke, volunteer programs manager) asked if I would be willing to return and help file the piles of paper they had accumulated, I jumped at the chance to help again.
Q: How does it feel to have hit the 100-hour mark?
A: To be honest, I had no idea I reached the 100-hour mark!
Q: What is your favorite task to do when volunteering?
A: Recently I have been helping to track the locations of the participants in the large food distribution drives. This is especially rewarding because we are helping to feed so many families that otherwise might go hungry.
Q: Can you share the most meaningful moment that has happened to you while volunteering?
A: There really isn’t just one moment that stands out. I enjoy my time at Feeding San Diego. The staff is amazing and ALWAYS makes me feel appreciated.
Mark Churness: 50 Hours
Q: When did you start volunteering with Feeding San Diego?
A: I received an email from the United Methodist Church (UMCOR VOAD) stating you needed volunteers in February 2020 and signed up to help.
Q: How does it feel to have hit the 50-hour mark?
A: 100 hours? WOW! I didn’t realize I had volunteered that much. Time flies when you are having fun.
Q: What is your favorite task to do when volunteering?
A: I enjoyed packing boxes and sorting and bagging fruit and vegetables for distribution and talking and making friends with the other volunteers.
Q: Can you share the most meaningful moment that happened to you while volunteering
A: The most meaningful part of volunteering was when I had the opportunity to help out at the distributions at Legoland and Pechanga Arena and seeing how our volunteering was impacting the lives of others.
Q: Why should others volunteer? How has it affected your life?
A: Volunteering is very rewarding and a way to meet others and make new friends while making a difference in our world. It has become a way of life for me. It gives me a purpose and a great joy reaching out and helping others.
Click here to apply to become a volunteer.
