John and Lynn have been a valuable addition to the Second Helping family of volunteers. They bring so much joy, care, and talent to the Hunger Relief kitchen. It has been a pleasure watching them master the tilts by creating some fantastic meals. Lynn is also an excellent baker. She often brings treats for the staff and volunteers. After retiring from Lilly, I am so happy John decided to spend his time here at Second Helpings and got Lynn to accompany him. Congratulations!
Learn more about John and Lynn in their own words below.
How did you become involved with Second Helpings?
We began joining Second Helpings work crews through Eli Lilly and company quarterly visits around 2018. When we were nearing retirement from our full-time jobs we signed up and went through training to obtain individual volunteer credentials (October 2021)
What things have you done since you began volunteering with us?
We have both tried multiple areas at Second Helpings before settling into the tilt operator role. This included produce and meat chopping, sorting in the Hub, food rescue, and sandwich making.
What have you liked best about volunteering with us?
John has enjoyed being able to provide help to others in need this directly. Lynne has enjoyed using her passion for food and cooking to be of service to others. We both have thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and interactions with our team the day that we volunteer.
What are you most proud of accomplishing through your volunteer work here?
John has appreciated being able to work a process or in a an area for a bit and then having the ability to make changes to improve the work flow of that area or to organize components for better efficiency.
Lynne has enjoyed learning to cook on a larger scale and interact with the chefs and teammates to produce wonderful tasting as well as healthy meals.
John and Lynne together have enjoyed trying to organize and maintain the spice supplies used in the hunger relief kitchen
What do you do when you’re not volunteering with us?
We love to travel and read and cook and visit our family (4 children in 4 neighboring states). John also spends time gardening and keeping our yard beautiful. Lynne cooks and bakes to provide treats for neighbors and friends.
Do you volunteer for any other organization?
John and Lynne together join our church for a monthly work trip to Midwest Food Bank. John also volunteers in the community helping to lead “Chemistry Is a Blast” demos for budding scientists. Lynne devotes some of her free time to Brooke’s Place for Grieving Children as a Group Facilitator on Program Nights and in the Schools as part of the BP8 program.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
“Beware of the quiet one…” Often Lynne is given “credit” for instigating mischief with our friends or coworkers. but in reality she is just the voice of the operation, as John is usually the source of all the really sneaky ideas.