“Why I Volunteer with Friendship Donations Network” FDN Volunteers in their own words, Fall 2020
“I started volunteering more than 10 years ago. It was a way to honor the memory of my parents who recently passed away. The food business was familiar since I practically grew up in my Dad’s “Mom & Pop” grocery store in Ellenville, NY. Volunteering with FDN has become a significant, very enjoyable part of my life. It is a joy to work with so many great people, young and old, and to make a difference in our community. I hope to keep doing the work and expand efforts now that I’ve retired.” – Ken Finkelstein, FDN volunteer since 2011 |
“I volunteer with FDN because wasting food is incredibly angering and saddening to me. I love witnessing the self-regulating community that FDN is, the creativity, the team-work, and how beautifully the group functions from the ground up with very few “mandates” from rule-setters. I love being able to go into the Ithaca community, talking about the “Good Samaritan” law, and connecting potential donors with partners who distribute food to those in need. I love gleaning squash after Cornell’s research trials, seeing neighborhood food hubs as I bike around town, delivering leftover pizza to St John’s Mission. I love meeting the other volunteers, witnessing their passion and resolution—especially during the pandemic—and it is incredibly humbling to feel that my small actions are contributing to a much huger whole. FDN is connection, cooperation, compassion, and GOOD FOOD.” – Sondra Wayman, FDN volunteer since 2016 |
“I believe that everyone deserves fresh healthy food and produce. FDN creates a community around this belief and it is a joy to be a part of this movement!” – Jonah Helmer, FDN volunteer since 2020 |
“I began volunteering with the Friendship Donation Network because I loved the idea of rescuing food and spreading it around where it could make a difference in people’s lives. As I have been volunteering around 2 years now, I realize how much more it means to me, much of which is in the one word, Community. There is the community that we build with those we volunteer with, those we see every week when we distribute food, and those we just happen to run into once, but share some time with, working on a food pick-up or drop-off. But greater still, is the sense of being more a part of the larger community. Often, I run into people that I have known in other ways, over the years, and that brings a special joy, as well.” – Nancy Siegele, FDN volunteer since 2018 |
