When Julie V. moved to Rohnert Park, she knew she wanted to give back to her new community. Volunteering had always been part of her life—she previously spent many years volunteering at another Bay Area food bank warehouse—but her demanding work schedule made it difficult to continue. In early 2021, after leaving her job, Julie finally had the chance to get involved again. That’s when she discovered the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
“I saw that there were distribution sites, which seemed interesting and something I hadn’t done before,” she recalls. Julie began volunteering in March 2021, and she’s been a steady presence at food distributions ever since. What Julie loves most is connecting with participants. She takes the time to smile, greet each person, and make sure they feel comfortable. “It’s hard for some participants to be there collecting food, so I make it a point to keep a smile on my face. I want them to know we are there to serve them.”
Julie has embraced many roles—sometimes signing people in, other times distributing food or breaking down boxes. She enjoys the variety, but what really stands out to her is the camaraderie she’s built with fellow volunteers. “We joke and laugh, which makes the hours enjoyable,” she says. One of Julie’s most meaningful experiences came when a senior participant told her she could no longer pick up food on her own and asked for help. Unsure if this was something volunteers could do, Julie checked with her site lead, who explained that participants can designate someone as their pickup proxy. Julie chose to step in and serve as the woman’s proxy, picking up and delivering food on her behalf. “I’ve been her proxy for a while now, and she is so appreciative and grateful each time. I’ve never regretted the decision I made.”
For Julie, volunteering is more than just lending a hand—“Every action I make impacts the lives of those facing food insecurity. Knowing that I’m helping alleviate hunger for many families is a powerful motivator.” Through her time at the food bank, Julie has gained a deeper understanding of how quickly life can change. “One doesn’t realize you can be on top of the world one day and lose everything the next,” she reflects. Today, Julie supports as a W⁵ Volunteer at multiple distribution sites, playing a vital role in the process. She assists our staff behind the scenes and serves as a welcoming first point of contact for everyone coming to pick up food, ensuring each participant feels seen, valued, and cared for.
What keeps her coming back? The people. The participants, the volunteers, and the sense of community that forms when people come together to fight hunger. “It’s a way of giving back to my community, supporting a cause I believe in, and making a positive impact on the lives of others.” Looking ahead, Julie is hopeful that funding will remain strong so the food bank can continue offering fresh staples like eggs and milk at distributions. In the meantime, she takes pride in every milestone she reaches as a volunteer. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment for the hard work put in,” she shares. And this past August, Julie celebrated a huge achievement—reaching 1,000 volunteer hours!
Her message to others thinking about volunteering is simple but powerful: “There are so many ways to volunteer. No matter what role one chooses, you are impacting people’s lives and helping fight hunger.”
Love our Volunteer Voices stories? We want to hear yours! Share your favorite Redwood Empire Food Bank memory, a heartwarming volunteer moment, or even just a short quote that captures your experience. Big or small, your story matters—and we can’t wait to celebrate it! Reach out to Katie at kdelsanto@refb.org for more information.
