Giving Back, One Week at a Time
My Experience Volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
By Keith E. Wolling

There are many ways we can give back to our community. We can donate money, collect food, support charitable organizations, or simply give our time. For me, one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference is to volunteer each week at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Orlando.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is much more than a food bank. It is a major hunger-relief organization serving Central Florida, providing food through a network of community partners to families, children and seniors who are facing food insecurity. Second Harvest says its network provides more than 300,000 meals each day across seven Central Florida counties.

Why I Volunteer

The simple answer is that I want to help.

I believe that giving your time can be just as meaningful as giving a financial donation. When I walk through the doors each week, I know that the work we are doing is going somewhere important. Food that is sorted, packed, prepared, or moved through the facility will ultimately help someone in our community.

That makes the time and effort worthwhile. Every meal count – one short meal can mean someone will not be fed that day – we count; we count and verify every shift.

There is also something very rewarding about being part of a team. Volunteers come from all walks of life, (they now are my extended family) we share a common purpose: helping our neighbors. Second Harvest relies heavily on volunteers to sort donations, pack food and support the many programs that get food into the hands of people who need it. In fact, the organization reports that more than 46,000 volunteers contributed over 139,000 hours during the past year. This is huge……………..these people are very special!

Making a Difference Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

It is the “one thing” I have found, supporting the community and “service above self” as I am a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista.

Sometimes it means showing up.

Sometimes it means spending a few hours sorting food.

Sometimes it means packing boxes, preparing meals, or helping another volunteer understand what needs to be done.

Sometimes it is washing dishes, pots, pans, utensils, or sheet pans. I also organize and restock the shelves after all is washed and dry – we call that “teamwork.”

And sometimes it simply means being willing to give your time.

Every box packed and every piece of food properly sorted becomes part of a much larger effort. Second Harvest works with hundreds of feeding partners throughout Central Florida, helping food reach food pantries, shelters, schools, senior programs and other organizations serving people in need. The facility operates 6 days per week. That tells you about the need in the community.

The People Are Part of the Experience

Another reason I enjoy volunteering each week is the people. But the staff and other volunteers make it really special. Our conversations are great stories and one “key factor “we all give back, and this is special.”

There is a sense of teamwork that develops when everyone is working toward the same goal. You meet people who have volunteered for years, people who are volunteering for the first time, and people who simply decided that they wanted to spend their time doing something positive for the community. New volunteers – I share the Second Harvest story and how it all flows in the operation. Volunteers can be – Engineers, Nurses, Teachers, Community leaders, Doctors, Leaders in Executive roles or people who just care (I can go on and on), as well as College students, High School students, or active military. You can see why this is “special.”

For me, that is an important part of volunteering. It isn’t just about the work. It’s about the people you meet and the community you become part of.

Second Harvest also provides opportunities for volunteers to take on additional responsibility. Experienced volunteers can become Volunteer Captains, helping train new volunteers and support warehouse operations.

Why Weekly Volunteering Matters to Me

Volunteering once is a good thing.

Volunteering regularly becomes a commitment.

For me, going each week creates a sense of purpose and consistency. I know that when I arrive, there is work to be done and that my contribution is part of something larger than myself.

That is what keeps me coming back. Oh, I pack my lunch each shift if I am doing a double shift that day.

A Personal Commitment

I don’t volunteer at Second Harvest because I think I can solve the problem of hunger by myself. I volunteer because I can do something.

I can show up.

I can work alongside others.

I can help prepare food for someone who needs it.

I can give a few hours of my week to an organization that is making a difference in Central Florida.

And I can encourage others to get involved.

Second Harvest’s mission is to “create hope and nourish lives” through its hunger-relief network. For me, volunteering is one small way of helping make that mission a reality.

Sometimes the best way to make a difference is simply to show up — and keep showing up.

We care……………..

— Keith E. Wolling