Meet Arthur: A Teenage Volunteer Dedicated to Food Rescue and Hunger Relief

When it comes to volunteers, Feeding San Diego has had success attracting some of the most amazing people to our organization. We have a long list of volunteers who show up every single week, sometimes for multiple shifts. They take on leadership roles, offer to help with complex projects, and display an enthusiasm for the mission that inspires others to come on board. Simply put: they are our most ardent ambassadors. So, it was no surprise to hear that a teenage volunteer was leading the weekly produce pantry at Feeding San Diego’s Sorrento Valley headquarters. We spoke with Arthur, the 14-year-old volunteer in charge of the produce pantry held three Saturdays of the month in Feeding San Diego’s parking lot, to ask him about his experience and what led him to assume this responsibility at such a young age.

Arthur at a Feeding San Diego produce pantry

Q: What inspired you to start volunteering at Feeding San Diego?

A: My whole experience with Feeding San Diego started in eighth grade. Our school provided a free lunch program called the Universal School Meals. I have a passion for food, so I get very upset when perfectly good food is wasted. However, when the lunch service was over, I noticed all the food waste in the trash, which ends up in landfills. I thus researched online and found out that 30 to 40 percent of the food produced goes to waste. That’s around 108 billion pounds of food wasted each year, which is enough to feed about 65 billion people facing hunger!

That’s when I really wanted to help with solving this huge issue of food waste and food insecurity. I searched for opportunities to help mitigate this issue. Then I discovered Feeding San Diego’s food rescue and volunteer program. I immediately relished its unique aspects. Instead of food being thrown into the trash, Feeding San Diego rescues surplus food and redistributes it to folks in need. What’s even better is that expired and non-edible food can go to farm animals.

Q: What was the process like for becoming the lead of a Feeding San Diego produce pantry?

A: I returned several times after my first time volunteering at Feeding San Diego. I learned more about the programs, such as how they get their food and where they distribute it. I began advocating their programs to others and hosted my first group volunteer. It was very successful. About 40 volunteers ranging from kindergarteners to high school students participated. I saw that many volunteers in the group were first-timers, so I helped them with check-in and showed them how to glean produce and clean and sanitize buckets. After the shift, I waited in the lobby to make sure that every kid got picked up safely.

Every time I volunteered at Feeding San Diego, I observed the staff was very busy, and I wanted to ease their workload. That is how I got interested in becoming a volunteer team lead, which could allow me to contribute more. I became a team lead after learning the basics, like sanitizing reusable packaging containers (RPCs) and leading a shift. The process of becoming a team lead is straightforward and enjoyable.

Then, a new produce pantry opened. I’ve gone to plenty of food sorting shifts and Together Tours but never a produce pantry, so I signed up. I found the program very attractive since I got to distribute fresh vegetables and fruits directly to the participants, and started going every week. When Sam Duke [Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement] offered me the opportunity to lead the produce pantry, I was thrilled and happily accepted.

Q: Describe a typical shift at the produce pantry.

A: As a produce pantry team lead, I lead produce distributions and try my best to provide an excellent experience and enjoyable distribution for the participants and volunteers. In addition, I enforce personal and food safety policies during the distribution and communicate to Feeding San Diego staff about issues or items we need.

We have six to eight varieties of fruits and vegetables for each distribution. They are usually in bags or in bulk. Before we start, I assign someone to tally the households that come in to pick up produce. I then let the volunteers choose one type of produce they would like to distribute.

Arthur and another volunteer distributing produce

We do our best to make a farmer’s market style distribution for our participants. To date, we have distributed all kinds of fresh seasonal produce, such as strawberries, mangos, bananas, pears, apples, stone fruits, mini watermelons, cantaloupes, pineapples, oranges, kiwis, avocadoes, bell peppers, cauliflowers, cucumbers, potatoes, celeries, zucchinis, carrots, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, and so on.

 

Q: How does it feel to be so young and in charge of a program like this every week?

A: It makes me feel great and valuable! Helping participants get the food they need is satisfying. I put a lot of effort and care into this program. To me, it’s like a real job, so I want to do my best.

At the outset, I felt a little overwhelmed and not fully comfortable with leading volunteers older than I am. Most volunteers are adults; some are high school students, and others are from local colleges. I quickly found that they are all very supportive, enthusiastic, helpful, and positive about my work and volunteering. I then became more comfortable and now can lead and help anyone with ease. Being trusted with this important work by Feeding San Diego’s volunteer and direct service departments also gives me confidence that I am a reliable person whom people can depend on. I am very proud of myself for becoming in charge of this program.

Q: What does helping out with this program mean to you?

A: It means responsibility, openness, connection, and growth. My responsibility is to make sure that fresh and nutritious produce is delivered to people in need on a weekly basis. I strive to make a difference in the lives of people facing hunger. I also have the responsibility of leading volunteers, keeping track of important materials, and giving the participants the best experience.

We endeavor to work and serve a diverse population and create safe and inclusive spaces for our participants and volunteers. We also follow suggestions and find ways to improve our produce pantry constantly. In addition, assisting with the produce pantry program connects me to the community. I meet new people, listen to what they’ve been through, and get to know their experiences. Our volunteer team strives to grow and develop continuously to combat food insecurity. With the efforts of Feeding San Diego’s staff and volunteers, I am confident that our produce pantry will keep getting better and helping more people.

Join Arthur for a Shift

We’re so proud of Arthur, our teenage volunteer extraordinaire! He easily went from working his first shift to becoming a crucial part of the volunteer team in less than a year. He tackles each new challenge with positivity and dedication we find inspiring. Join Arthur for a shift at the produce pantry, or check out our volunteer page to find other ways to get involved.