Thank You Distribution Center Volunteers
Volunteer Appreciation Week is coming to an end, but we are grateful for our volunteers all year long. We want to close the week with a couple of more volunteer spotlights like this and this one. from our most popular volunteer opportunity, the distribution center in our Plano facility.
Millions of meals are distributed through our Partner Agencies and feeding programs thanks to our distribution center volunteers. This is where the food is sorted and packed in preparation for transport to our feeding network of agencies.
Today we are spotlighting two of our distribution center volunteers who joined the NTFB volunteer family during its historic pandemic response, Tasnim Al-Smadi and Jeffrey Cho. We are grateful for them and all our volunteers helping us create a hunger-free North Texas!
Tasnim Al-Smadi
Q: What inspired you to volunteer here and how did you get involved with mobile pantry distributions?
A: I decided to volunteer with NTFB because I need volunteer hours to graduate from college, but I wanted to do volunteer work that matters. When I found out that NTFB was partnered with my university, I decided to volunteer with the Food Bank to see what it was like. I enjoyed it and decided to dedicate more time with them.
Q: What do you like most about volunteering in the distribution center?
A: My favorite part about volunteering at the distribution center is that it is organized, and the facility is full of people wanting to help. I tend to see the same group of volunteers when I volunteer there, so it is nice that there are regulars. Also, some of the employees there recognize me as well and know my name, so I do not feel like a stranger every time I come in.
Q: Why do you think giving back to your community is important, especially in this last tumultuous year?
A: It is important to make time to volunteer, especially in this last year, because I know the impact COVID has had on a lot of people, so being able to help in any way I can feels good.
Q: What would you say to others who are considering getting involved in the North Texas Food Bank?
A: I would tell them that the work put in at NTFB is worth it because so many families get fed in just one 2.5 hour-shift.
Jeffrey Cho
Q: What inspired you to volunteer here and how did you get involved with mobile pantry distributions?
A: I was motivated to volunteer at North Texas Food Bank because I saw the impact from mobile pantry distributions associated with NTFB on the news and wanted to contribute! I got involved with NTFB by trying to volunteer in the distribution center, at least twice every other week, since I appreciate the work NTFB does.
Q: What do you like most about volunteering in the distribution center?
A: I really enjoy being able to prepare various meal boxes ranging from families to the elderly and knowing that each box I prepare helps someone in need.
Q: Why do you think giving back to your community is important, especially in this last tumultuous year?
A: I make time to volunteer for my community because I get encouraged that the work I do can make someone’s day even a little bit better. I become more content and feel uplifted knowing that my small sacrifice can benefit a family or two, especially during this unprecedented time.
Q: What would you say to others who are considering getting involved in the North Texas Food Bank?
A: I would like to encourage others who are interested in helping with the North Texas Food Bank by saying that the work you do with NTFB really does help someone’s life even if you never meet that person. The help that we do can allow families to eat a proper meal for one more day or even for weeks.
We want to express a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers providing hope to our neighbors experiencing hunger every day.
Learn more about all NTFB volunteer opportunities here: https://ntfb.org/volunteer.