Volunteering at the Food Bank not only makes a positive difference for over 79,000 households facing hunger in our community – for many of our dedicated Food Bank volunteers it also leads to firm friendships.
As we celebrate the month of love, we’re sharing some of our favorite stories of volunteers and Food Bank staff who have connected over serving our community.
Want to join them? Sign up to volunteer with us. You’ll feel good helping your community, and meet a group of caring people who could become your new friends, too!
Pamela and Sue: David’s Angels
When Community Produce Program driver David is in need of extra helping hands in the Antioch area, he knows just who to call – Miss Pamela and Miss Sue. “I call them ‘David’s Angels, because I can call them and they’re there, rain or shine,” David shares. The trio have even joked about making shirts to highlight their special friendship.
Pamela and Sue first met while volunteering with David, and over five years they’ve not only befriended each other, but come to think of their fellow volunteers and the neighbors they serve as extended family.
“I think it could be me,” shares Pamela. “There’s a lot of people who are having a hard time, and it’s even harder now. So I don’t mind coming out in the rain, because it could be me, and I would appreciate it if somebody would do it for me.”
Annette and “Bee”: The Decor Duo
When Annette, the Food Bank’s development assistant, asked frequent volunteer Barbara “Bee” if she’d like to help prepare for the Food Bank’s annual Empty Bowls event, a dynamic duo was born!
The two began chatting and realized they are neighbors. “From there we would talk about family, we would talk about restaurants,” said Annette. “We’ve just got that connection.”
Since that first day preparing for Empty Bowls, Annette and Bee have partnered to wrap hundreds of ceramic bowls, create centerpieces for Food Bank galas, and more. Describing one another as “kindhearted,” they know first-hand the value of uniting to make a difference. As Bee said, “That’s who you want to surround yourself with…kindhearted people, like-minded people. I think that makes a huge difference.”
Jeremy and Linda: A Warm Food Bank Welcome
Starting a new job can come with some nerves. That’s why Food Bank community marketing manager Jeremy is so happy to have met Linda and her team of volunteers from United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay during his first days at the Food Bank.
“(Linda) was so kind and welcomed me, and showed me not just how to work with special needs volunteers, but all volunteers,” Jeremy shares. Now, they regularly make time to catch up, enjoy each other’s positive energy, and celebrate the confidence boost that Linda’s team receive when they give their time to fight hunger.
“It makes everybody feel so worthy and successful,” Linda shares. “When other jobs come up, a lot of the guys that come to the Food Bank will volunteer to do them, because they already have the self-confidence.”