Here at Second Harvest, we are lucky to have the support of thousands of volunteers who donate their time and skills to put our mission into action. Whether it’s building Bite2Go kits, helping out at a Mobile Market or sorting fresh produce in our Volunteer Center, volunteers help get food to our neighbors in need. We recently had the chance to sit down with one of our volunteers, Laurie, and hear about her experience volunteering at Second Harvest. Thank you, Laurie, and all our volunteers for all the work you do.

Q: How long have you been volunteering with Second Harvest?
A: “A little over two years.”

Q: How did you first get involved with Second Harvest?
A: “I’ve been volunteering for years with different organizations and COVID put an end to those, at least temporarily. I was looking for somewhere else to get involved and years ago I volunteered at Spokane Valley Partners, so I had some familiarity with Second Harvest through them. I thought I would come down and check it out. I loved it, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Q: How would you describe a Second Harvest volunteer shift?
A: “If you’re a person that likes to be busy, it’s great. I love the two-hour shift, it’s not overtaxing, it’s not anything difficult. Sometimes some of the produce is not so pleasant, most of the regulars have favorites to sort. Sometimes you will come in and you’ll hear, ‘Oh no, we’re doing onions today’ or, ‘Yay! We’re doing bread’. My favorite is food drive sort, it’s a little different and you’re working with a variety of foods.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory/moment from volunteering?
A: “What has been special about being at Second Harvest is getting to know some of the regular volunteers. When you get to see people repeatedly you get to form a relationship with them. Everybody is just so fun to work with, so it’s a joy to come down here. And then you get blessed because you get to serve the community and feel like you’re doing something.”

Q: What does volunteering mean to you?
A: “I’m just blessed to be healthy and in a position where I can give back to the community. I believe that’s important, that everybody who has the time and opportunity should do that. It’s a blessing. I receive as much from it as the people who are served by it.”

Q: How would you encourage others to volunteer?
A: “Second Harvest is one of the most well-organized places for volunteers. The sign-up process is very easy, you don’t have to commit for any long periods of time. You can come once, or you can come every day if there’s a shift available. It’s so convenient and easy and it’s fun. Especially if it’s their first time, most people don’t want to commit to a month or six months of something they don’t know they like and here it’s so flexible and easy.”