This November, Second Harvest Food Bank is honoring a volunteer who has donated hundreds of hours of her time fighting hunger in her community.

When did you start volunteering with Second Harvest?

My first experience with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee was volunteering with a group called Team Green in 2015. We did a Farm to Families volunteer shift at FarmOne. Then, in 2019, I started volunteering more regularly as an individual in the warehouse and out in the community.

What is your favorite volunteer opportunity and favorite volunteer memory?

Backpacks! It’s great to see exactly how many bags you packed and how many people, especially kids, you are able to impact. 

Some of greatest experiences have been volunteering at By Faith Farm, a community farm that donates its locally-grown produce to Second Harvest. The work is hard and during the summer it’s hot, but the feeling of accomplishment seeing what you’ve planted, weeded, or harvested is amazing. We hosted a Northwestern alumni event at the farm and cleaned out a greenhouse in just a few hours! 

Why it is important for you to volunteer?

If you have the ability, it’s so important to give back to your community and your neighbors. Helping others helps you, too.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Second Harvest?

Second Harvest will host your group, your family, or just you! I was hesitant to show up without a group at first, but it doesn’t take long to make connections here! 

Join Samantha in helping feed our neighbors in need by signing up for a volunteer shift today!