GV Food Bank honors volunteers

Special to the Green Valley News

“It just makes me feel good — helping people who need help — and there’s a tremendous need at the Food Bank,” said volunteer Bob Call, who as coordinator of the gleaning program helped pick and collect more than 32,000 pounds of citrus in 2008.

A group of 151 men and women who volunteer at the Green Valley Community Food Bank, some for a decade or more, was honored Saturday at Casa de Esperanza for their time and ongoing dedication. CEO Bill Carnegie of the five-branch Community Food Bank thanked Mary Jane Goodrick for her leadership, outstanding performance and for creating something special with the corps of volunteers; he announced that he was advancing her title from branch manager to executive director.

“You show kindness every single day,” Goodrick told the volunteers. “I wanted a job where I could become an integral part of the community. I have the ability every day to directly impact someone’s life. It doesn’t get better than that.”

In 2008, the volunteers worked 15,425 hours, the equivalent of 7.4 full-time employees.

Cheryl Averre led with 898 hours followed by Bob Ward, Bob Baldwin, Dale Young and Hans Duerr, who volunteered 572, 531, 512 and 413 hours, respectively.

Why they do it

The volunteers agree this is a time when they have the time to give, and they know the need has never been greater.

Speaking individually with some about why they volunteer at the Food Bank and what personal rewards they get, the responses were from the heart and about “giving back.”

Formerly a speech pathologist in Minnesota, Joy Nelson said, “I went into homes and saw the need for basics. Once I retired, this was the first volunteer job I undertook. I feel that I get more out of it than I give, but I don’t do it for selfish reasons. Also, I can see the rewards.”

“I never thought about it,” said Frank Perry, “but 20 or so years ago a neighbor asked me to volunteer here. I’ve always been community-minded and for a minimal amount of work I get a great feeling of accomplishment at no cost other than time.”

Dale Young and Shirley Pavlovich also get a feel-good feeling from helping people and said it gives them a lot of satisfaction helping those in need.

“After years of working, it’s good to volunteer and give back to the community,” Pavlovich said, while Young’s response was twofold: “In addition to the personal satisfaction that I’m helping people in need I enjoy working with everyone there.”

Darlene Feil, who volunteered at a Food Bank in North Dakota for 25 years, said she enjoys the opportunity to give something back.

“For me, it’s seeing the sparkle in people’s eyes have when they’re getting food they haven’t had in a while and then seeing them walk out the door with the food,” she said.

Also donating their time and services were vocalist Joey Lessa and sax musician Dr. A, aka Anthony Enos, who provided outstanding entertainment, and Carolyn and Winn Tandy who donated the food and their services.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.