Volunteer Spotlight
Each month, a volunteer at SFBFS is featured for their dedication of time and talent. This month’s volunteer spotlight is:
NCCC, Green 1 - February 2012
Emma Makdessi did not want the typical 9 to 5 job after college. Likewise, Tara Branson felt indecision about the path she would take after graduation. But both Makdessi and Branson knew that they wanted to travel, make connections and have meaningful experiences. Their paths would converge when both Makdessi and Branson joined the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a full time, team based AmeriCorps program for men and women ages 18 to 24.
For the past four months Makdessi, Branson and the nine other individuals who make up NCCC's Green 1 team would share in the joys and challenges of working and serving local families, and ultimately become incorporated into Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' (SFBFS) volunteer corps.
The team members worked within programs at both of SFBFS' facilities in Oak Park and North Sacramento and had the opportunity to help with SFBFS' major holiday events including the Turkey Drive, Turkey Distribution and Run to Feed the Hungry.
Green 1 Team Leader, Mike Kamen, sums up his experience at SFBFS as one of being in a state of constant learning and surprise. "During my service at SFBFS, I have learned that while Sacramento has significant needs concerning poverty, hunger and homelessness, people also have a very strong desire to perform service and to help their fellow man."
Most of the team members were impressed by the incredible numbers of community members giving and receiving throughout the annual holiday events. At both the Turkey Drive and Run to Feed the Hungry, the team was amazed with the outpouring of community support. "The community feel at the Run to Feed the Hungry is pretty obvious," Justin Slay said, commenting on the event that drew 26,844 participants. "Just the scale was amazing and even the dedication, I mean, it was raining!"
Scottie Grimes echoed the team's sentiment when recalling the line that stretched almost a mile long to McClatchy Park the morning of the Turkey Distribution. "There were lots of questions from people in line. 'Will there be enough? Will you run out?' It was heart wrenching, but nice to reassure them that there will be enough," Grimes said.
It was not just the large events that made a lasting impression on the team but also the everyday operations at SFBFS. "It's the really small moments that are memorable," said Makdessi, reflecting on interacting with clients at weekly food distributions, "I remember a woman standing next to me laughing...People forget we're all human. We have ups, downs, but we can all laugh and smile."
For Green 1, who has moved on to their next service site in San Diego, the feeling that they have leaving SFBFS is one of family and community, not only among themselves, but among the staff and the many clients they served.
If you are interested in volunteering your time to help someone in need in our community, click here for more information.
Click on a link below to read archived Volunteer Spotlights:
Volunteer Spotlight – October 2011
Yolanda Moore
 Yolanda Moore originally came to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) about five years ago when she was taking art classes at a local community college. She heard, by word of mouth, about a free art program for women in Sacramento, offered at a local non-profit organization. She became intrigued with the idea decided to check it out. What she found was the Women’s Wisdom Art program at SFBFS, a free art group for women from diverse backgrounds, who come together to support one another, learn new skills, and gain self-confidence and creativity. Yolanda felt very at home and started to gain confidence in her artistic abilities.
 After attending classes, she decided to pursue her degree in Art at Sacramento State University. Her classes began to take up the majority of her time. Eventually she approached Helen Plenert, Women’s Wisdom Art Program Manager, to inform her that she no longer had time to participate in the program and needed to commit full time to her Sac State classes. Although Helen and the other students were sad to see Yolanda leave, it made them happy that she was pursuing a lifelong goal. By setting such a goal and steadfastly working toward it, Yolanda was unknowingly inspiring others in the program. “Even as a student, she was always a huge help in the classroom,” says Helen. “I asked her to consider coming back as a volunteer someday. It was just over a year ago when she walked back in to begin volunteer work for us. “
In 2010, Yolanda returned to SFBFS after receiving her degree as a volunteer for the Women’s Wisdom Art program. As a volunteer, Yolanda offers support to the students in the program. “Every day is different,” says Yolanda. She typically arrives before any classes start, working with the instructors and pulling out all the necessary materials. The women often ask for help finding a certain item or ask for Yolanda’s opinion on a project. “Every woman has her own style when it comes to art,” she comments. “I try to give my opinion to them while at the same time making sure it doesn’t interfere with their own ideas.” Yolanda’s favorite part of volunteering is seeing students progress. Oftentimes students arrive unsure and afraid that they can’t create something worthwhile. The nature of the program allows them to freely express themselves and develop creatively. Once a student sees their work displayed on a gallery wall, they feel accomplished and self-confident. “The quality of the artwork created by these women is truly impressive,” says Yolanda.
Helen and the other instructors in the program value each and every day that Yolanda volunteers in the classroom. According to Helen, Yolanda is one of those rare jewels who see what needs to be done and just jumps headfirst in to do it. A new student may need some comforting and Yolanda just sits down next to her as if that was the last seat in the room and strikes up a conversation. Another minute she is up to her elbows in dirty dishes and paint brushes. “It's really a rare moment when I have to ask her to help with something specific because she usually thinks of it before I do. In fact, she may have already done it before I finish asking!” says Helen.
In addition to volunteering, Yolanda can be found painting or drawing on her own time, spending time with her friends, or visiting her family, including her grown children and five grandchildren.
If you are interested in volunteering your time to help someone in need in our community, click here for more information.
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