“I volunteer because I can,” Molly Milano says with a smile. “I have the time, the energy, and the interest.” That simple statement has grown into something extraordinary—not just for Molly, but for the thousands of lives she’s touched through her service at the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Her journey began during one of our community’s darkest times—the devastating wildfires of 2017. Molly’s first shift was at a Station 3990 food distribution, where families from all walks of life lined up, shaken and unsure. Some had never sought help before. They had lost homes, belongings, and any sense of normalcy. At that distribution, Molly stood surrounded by a long line of people waiting to receive aid. “They were just so thankful,” she recalls, “and it was clear they appreciated the moment of kindness and seeing some friendly faces delivering it.”
Station 3990 is the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s rapid response initiative, launched during natural disasters, economic disruptions, public health emergencies, and other urgent situations. In times of crisis, it delivers swift, reliable food support to those displaced or impacted. As conditions stabilize, Station 3990 transitions individuals into our ongoing food distributions—ensuring no one is left behind as we return to regular operations.
That experience became a turning point. For Molly, volunteering isn’t a task—it’s a calling. It’s about honoring her own good fortune by helping meet one of the most basic human needs. “I’m lucky enough that I don’t know what it’s like to be hungry,” she says. “So if I can help someone else avoid that feeling, that’s fulfilling.” And the work itself? It’s energizing. Volunteering at the Redwood Empire Food Bank is hands-on, fast-paced, and physically engaging. Whether she’s packing produce, sorting donations, or assembling Senior Basket boxes, Molly finds joy in the motion. “You get a good workout in,” she laughs, “and you make a difference while doing it.”
What keeps her coming back, though, is the people. Volunteering has introduced her to a vibrant cross-section of the community—grade schoolers to folks in their nineties, people of different backgrounds, races, and means. “When you volunteer here, you’re surrounded by people who want to serve,” she says. “It’s positive, it’s uplifting—it restores your faith in community.”
One of Molly’s favorite places is the Kitchen Collective, where creativity meets necessity. Watching Chef Don whip up meals from whatever ingredients are on hand is like seeing art in motion. His ability to pull together nourishing dishes from a patchwork of donated goods has inspired Molly’s own culinary adventures at home. “I learn the most in the kitchen,” she shares. “It’s not just about feeding others. It’s about experimenting, staying curious, and discovering new possibilities.”
Through every shift and every box packed, Molly has become a quiet force of good—proof that when you give your time with heart and intention, you don’t just change lives. You strengthen and connect them, and you help the whole community shine a little brighter.
