Volunteer

 As a new resident of Columbus, I was eager to find a setting that would connect people with food.  The idea that food is our common ground has led me to volunteer in various ways of food distribution.  Before Columbus, you might have found me delivering mobile meals, cooking for seniors, or volunteering in the kitchen of an Alzheimer facility.

Heart to Heart Thursday’s drive thru is a highlight of my week.   When I see all the healthy fruits, and vegetables that we distribute to our neighbors, I am thankful for the Heart to Heart volunteers who have worked tirelessly to load, deliver and pack before we begin the drive thru.   I also appreciate the friendship of fellow volunteers who have welcomed a newcomer to this meaningful effort.

“I volunteer at Heart to Heart because I enjoy the interaction with those served. It is a pleasure to get to know individuals seeking our services. I also enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship among the volunteers.”

“Volunteering has always been something Noah, his older brother Ethan, and I have done together. Some family friends of ours were talking about Heart to Heart recently, and Noah needed some volunteer hours for Upper Arlington High School… so I thought it would be a great idea for us to sign up. Noah completed his required hours a while back but wanted to keep going. I have always enjoyed making a difference in other’s lives by helping and I am proud to know that Noah does too. We are glad to be involved with Heart to Heart and have fun doing it together!”

I started volunteering at Heart to Heart in late summer 2021. I work part-time from home, and when my son went back to school, I had some extra time to spare. My husband and I were married at First Community, and our son was baptized there, so I decided to check out Heart to Heart. What drew me to the drive-thru shift was being able to see and connect with our neighbors who turn to the pantry for help. They are very grateful for the help they receive, but I feel just as grateful to be able to help them.

I work in the animal welfare field, so I understand that dogs and cats are very much part of the family. I noticed that when we had pet food to offer, those who needed it were extra grateful to be able to get something for their pet in addition to the rest of their family. Through my contacts at Columbus Humane, I was able to connect their pet food pantry to Heart to Heart, and since then I have picked up and delivered approximately 1,300 pounds of pet food.

This summer I introduced our 10-year-old son to Heart to Heart, and he loved loading up the cars, and passing out candy and books to the kids who came through. By the end of his first shift, he was moving me aside saying “I got this mom” and loading up the dry goods by himself. He still asks about Yohan and the other Thursday drive-thru crew. I’m happy to instill in him a sense of community service and caring that I hope he will carry with him forever.

My wife and I had been looking for an opportunity to give back and Heart to Heart has helped fulfill that need. I was touched the very first time I had done the drive-thru. I got to see the end result of all of the hard work, and the outpouring of gratitude of the families we served was amazing, and I wanted to be able to do more. Since that time, I have done the Shop and Stock, unloading the food truck, and continued to work the drive-thru. I also got to see the great need there is for food and everyday essentials. With the help of our FCC Couples Circle (84) we were able to donate over 200 pounds of diapers and wipes. I would encourage others to either volunteer or donate to Heart to Heart.

I started volunteering for Heart to Heart in December 2020 and pick up meat from Giant Eagle Marketplace Kingsdale every Friday morning. I have become friends with the Giant Eagle Receiving staff and learned to wrangle large cardboard boxes of heavy meat into a truck. I appreciate Yohan’s assistance in unloading the meat at FCC-South. We have a network of other meat pick-up volunteers, such as Glen Zook, Steve Young, and TC Brown, who help cover Friday pick-up when I am unavailable to pick up the meat. We are definitely a team! Recently, I had the opportunity to walk the 26-mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu along with other members of FCC and friends. It was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!

With such high food prices, I have noticed that the number of clients we serve at Hart to Hart each week seems to be much higher.  Often I hear people say things like, “I am thankful for whatever you can give us”.  The thing I like best about being able to serve is the feeling of thankfulness I receive each week.  I am thankful for the church, thankful for the other volunteers, and thankful for the Hart to Hart administrative support staff.  But most of all I am thankful for our clients.  They have the courage to visit us on a regular basis when doing so may be hard for some. Sometimes I feel like I am far too entitled in life; but serving at Hart to Hart helps me to understand the real meaning of thankfulness.

“It’s such an honor to be able to be able to help out.  We are proud of First Community’s ongoing commitment to serving our neighbors at a time of great need.  What also makes the experience special is the amazing volunteers we have gotten to know – praying, joking and enjoying our service together.”