VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: COLLEEN LARSON

Colleen is a bubbly, outgoing, and enthusiastic mom of three who works in the distribution area efficiently packing grocery carts with healthy food. She says there is a stark difference in the volunteer experience now compared to pre-pandemic times. “Before the pandemic, I’d come home dog-tired after a very busy three-hour shift. We helped bag food for clients, and get it out to their cars, there were often hugs, stories shared, and we even got to hold babies. Now, we simply work one day a week for two and a half hours loading carts for distribution. Not being able to interact a the clients is tough but the highlight is seeing and working with my fellow volunteers,” Colleen said, affectionately referring to her group as “The A Team”. One of Colleen’s most poignant memories as a volunteer was meeting an elderly couple who needed food support. “I can still picture them – an impeccably dressed lovely couple, they could have been my Mom and Dad,” Colleen explained. It struck her that even though we may not know people’s circumstances, that’s okay. It matters that anyone in a crisis knows they can come here for help.