Colleen Evans
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.
