Volunteering Builds Friendships

Hays County, TX – July 19th, 2016

Despite the disconcerting events that recently occurred, we need to remember that good is out there. Margaret Mead, a 20th-century cultural anthropologist, once said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” What one person can do to help better their community is only magnified by what a team of friends can accomplish. Reach out and find those friends and make a positive change together.

Hays County Food Bank is lucky to collaborate with a team of local girlfriends who enjoy taking an active role in bettering their community. Diane Gardner, Darlene Hill, Gladys Isaacs, Paula Stiles, and Diane Wallis volunteer to help with food distribution every Thursday evening at the First United Methodist Church in Martindale. These women have been volunteering with the food bank for a number of years and don’t see themselves leaving anytime.

Paula Stiles, Diane Gardner, Gladys Isaacs, Diane Wallis, and Darlene Hill.

Darlene, a current board member, recruited the others to commit one by one. She says “this opportunity to give back to my community has been one of my most fulfilling and rewarding experiences and being able to do it with good friends who have a common interest makes it even more than that.” Diane Gardner was the second to join the troop. When asked about the reason she has become such a “regular,” she said, “Volunteering at the Food Bank is like hanging out with friends while contributing to the community in which I live, and I benefit from the glow of a sense of accomplishment I feel afterwards.” Diane Wallis joined a few years later. Although she says volunteering isn’t always an easy task, the many smiling faces of the clients she has gotten to know make every week worth it. Paula agrees. She feels appreciated by the clients in Martindale that she personally is able to help. The final member to join the team was Gladys. Gladys was not actively seeking any volunteer opportunities when she was approached to join. She says, “The very basic need for sustenance should not be a struggle in our society. This has been and will continue to be a humbling experience for me. It reminds me of my humble beginnings, and it puts things into proper perspective when I lose sight of the important things in life.”

These ladies may have been friends before they started volunteering together, but now they have an unbreakable bond. It is always great to meet up for happy hour with your friends, but why not spend a couple of hours a week collectively embarking on something meaningful as well? We challenge you to get involved and volunteer as a group! It feels great to give back, and it is even more fun when you are surrounded by people you enjoy spending time with. Who knows, you might even establish a life-long friendship with someone you would never have crossed paths with otherwise.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Food Bank, as friends or as an individual, please contact Holly Hood at (512) 392-8300 x222 or at HHood@HaysFoodBank.org.