Volunteer Spotlight: Ashley from WHEAT Community Cupboard & Café

 
Name 
 
Ashley 
 
Town Of Residence 
 
Lancaster
 
Which WHEAT Program(S) Have You Volunteered For? 
 
WHEAT Community Café
 
How Long Have You Been Volunteering at the Café?
 
I just started, so I have been here about a month.
 
Do You Volunteer Regularly Or Occasionally?
 
I come 2-3 times per week.
 
Why Did You Decide To Volunteer? 
 
I am a nutrition student at Umass Amherst. I came here to get some hands-on experience learning about community nutrition.
 
How Did You Decide To Volunteer at the Café?
 
My Mom told me about WHEAT. I live close to here, so I went online, looked at their hours and signed up. I also really love food prep and we do a lot of that here.
  
What Do You Do When You Volunteer? 
 
When I volunteer, I prep food, I set up trays, and package meals to be delivered. 
 
How Does Volunteering Make You Feel? 
 
When I volunteer it makes me feel good knowing I am making meals for people who need them. 
 
Why Do You Think It's Important For People To Volunteer? 
 
I think It’s important to give back and help people not as fortunate when it comes to food. 
 
If You Work, Can You Tell Us Where And What You Do?
 
I work at Kimball Farm in Lancaster similar to here, prepping food. 
 
Tell Us A Story Of A Time When You Knew Your Volunteering Made A Difference. 
 
Before COVID-19 I volunteered in a soup kitchen. Just being able to serve people face to face made an impact on me. 
 
What's Your Best Advice For Someone Interested In Volunteering? 
 
If you have the time, JUST DO IT! Find a local food pantry or soup kitchen and JUST DO IT!