At Fresh!, volunteers are at the heart of creating a welcoming, grocery‑store‑style experience for neighbors facing hunger. From stocking shelves to quality checks and curbside support, each volunteer plays a role in making sure guests have access to fresh, nutritious food—and the dignity of choice. Three of those volunteers—Breda, Joy, and Kishore—share what inspires them to give their time and what keeps them coming back.
A Clear Calling to Give Back
Breda has been part of Fresh! since the very beginning, volunteering from the first day it opened. Both the people and the purpose keep her engaged at Fresh! “It’s been great. The people are wonderful—Monica is a great manager, and AJ works so hard,” she says. She was especially drawn to Fresh!’s focus on quality and choice. “When I read about Fresh!, I thought it was perfect,” Breda shares. “It’s fun working with fresh food. I was seeing pineapples out there today and thought, ‘Oh my gosh—you don’t see that at a lot of food banks.’” Being part of a program where guests can select high‑quality produce makes the experience meaningful. “It’s really good quality food, and guests even tell us how fabulous the produce is.”
Her commitment to volunteering is deeply personal. “When I retired, I knew immediately what I wanted to do,” Breda says. Having witnessed food insecurity firsthand, she felt called to focus her time and energy there. “I decided I wanted to work around food insecurity, because it’s outrageous that people don’t have access to good food,” she explains. Volunteering at Fresh! allows her to act on that conviction in a tangible way. “I just want to do whatever I can to help.”
Making an Impact Behind the Scenes
Joy says her decision to volunteer started with a simple desire to give back. “I really wanted to give back in some way, and this felt like a good opportunity to do that,” she explains. “When I saw it, I thought, ‘I can do that.’” That feeling is rooted in personal experience. “I have friends who have had to rely on the system, and I’ve seen how challenging that can be,” Joy says. Watching those experiences made the need feel real and close to home. “Seeing what they go through made me want to help in some way and play a small part in making things better.”
For Joy, the behind‑the‑scenes work is where she feels most impactful. “It feels really rewarding to be back here, making sure the food is fresh and something I’d want for myself,” she says. She approaches each shift with care, making sure guests at Fresh! experience the same dignity and choice they would expect at a regular grocery store. “I look at it from the perspective of when I go shopping—what am I looking for? I want my neighbors to have the same kind of food I would choose.” That sense of purpose, combined with the hands‑on nature of the work, is what keeps her coming back. “I meet new people, I get exercise, and it’s fun,” Joy shares. “I can come in, listen to the music, and focus on the work, and that makes it really enjoyable.”
Trusting the Mission, Valuing Connection
Kishore’s volunteer journey with Gleaners has taken him from the warehouse in Taylor to Fresh!, where he continues to give his time and energy in support of the mission. “I love it,” he says. “I like to stay busy, and I don’t like sitting idle, so when I’m here, I’ll do anything they need—breaking down boxes, helping wherever I can.” Whether he’s working curbside or jumping in wherever help is needed, Kishore appreciates the energy and environment at Fresh!. “I like the vibe here. Everything is clean, people are energetic, and I like the spirit of the place.”
What keeps him coming back is a strong sense of trust and purpose. “I don’t always see the end result of what I’m doing, but I know it’s a good thing to do,” Kishore says. “I trust Gleaners. Even if I don’t always see the direct impact, I know they do the right thing.” For him, volunteering is about showing up, staying engaged, and contributing without judgment. “With food programs, you actually see the people coming in to get food, and that connection matters to me,” he shares.
Volunteers like Breda, Joy, and Kishore help make Fresh! a welcoming space, where access to nutritious food is paired with dignity, choice, and care. Their stories are just a few among many—each one reflecting the community members who show up every day to help make the Fresh! experience positive and respectful for our guests.
Interested in volunteering? Learn how you can get involved at Gleaners, here.
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