Kathleen’s Journey at Community Food Share
Kathleen has been a devoted volunteer at Community Food Share since the fall of 2018. Nearing retirement from her 41-year career as a respiratory therapist at AdventHealth Avista, she knew she wanted to stay active and engaged in her community. “I live right down the street, and I thought, I’m gonna need something to do, so I might as well start volunteering here,” Kathleen explains. After retiring in early 2019, she became a consistent volunteer, dedicating her time to helping others.
Kathleen’s journey at Community Food Share wasn’t just about giving time, but also about understanding the deep needs of the community. “I see the people that need help,” she reflects, especially recalling a time when the tables were turned. After losing her home in the Marshall Fire back in 2021, several families and individuals using our onsite food pantry: Feeding Families program, many of whom came in for food assistance, generously offered her money to help.
She was deeply moved by their kindness. “They’re struggling to get food, and here they are wanting to help me,” she said, humbled.
Beyond volunteering, Kathleen also joined our monthly giving program: 303 Sustainers. Why? “Because I could,” she explains simply. Whether through money or time, her belief is clear: “If you’ve got enough money to feed yourself and your family, I think it always helps to feed our community. But if you can’t give money, volunteering can make just as much of a difference.”
For anyone considering donating or volunteering, Kathleen’s message is simple: “Until you get here and meet the people that work and volunteer, you don’t realize how fulfilling it can be to help out your community.”
