Tim Warton sometimes forgets to make time to eat lunch because he gets absorbed in his work. “I love the Freestore Foodbank and look forward to spending time here with the team,’ he says. Tim sits at the check-out counter in the Liberty Street Market at the Customer Connection Center. He works in the Liberty Street Market for eight days a month and loves being able to help people.
Tim was a chef many years ago. He loved his job. Working in a restaurant meant long hours on his feet. He struggled with back issues for a long time until in 2009 his back gave out altogether and he was forced to stop work. Struggling to make ends meet, Tim applied for food stamps. He started volunteering at the Freestore Foodbank because he wanted to meet the work requirements for SNAP. However, he started enjoying the experience so much that he found himself volunteering whenever he could spare the time. “During the holidays I help out at the front desk and I absolutely love it. It is the best way for me to meet new people and wish them a Happy Holiday,” he says.
During the year, Tim does everything from loading trucks to getting meat out of the freezer. “I truly believe that our primary duty is to make the world a better place,” he says. “Volunteering gives me a chance to give back and to lend a helping hand to someone else who is struggling. And I enjoy being able to help others more than anything else in the world.”
Tim is grateful to the Freestore Foodbank for the opportunity to serve. ‘The Freestore Foodbank has given me a feeling of belonging,” he says. Tim encourages anyone who is interested in giving back to start by making a commitment to volunteer at least once a month. He feels that it is a most gratifying experience and one that makes the world a better place for everyone.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Freestore Foodbank, click here.
Volunteer Connection – April 2018