For Brock Lee (alias), attending the musical fundraiser Tonic Ball every year became a way to enjoy the music while also donating to a great cause. In 2014, Brock needed to go pick up his tickets and t-shirt at Second Helpings. He began talking to a volunteer who came in once a month and talked about how much she loved to volunteer. Finding himself in a transition period between volunteer roles, Brock decided he wanted to volunteer at Second Helpings.
While completing volunteer orientation, Brock searched for opportunities at Second Helpings. Finding the list of choices for volunteering opportunities, he decided to try being a driver companion. “I think I could sling some stuff around.” He normally rides with fellow volunteer Steve Taylor on Tuesday afternoons. Since that point, Brock has added other, diverse volunteering role. When he was in the Transportation Hub one day, he saw Hub Coordinator Melissa York busy with work. Brock asked if he could help, and now he comes when Melissa needs help organizing or directing food rescue activity within the Hub. Brock also will do laundry, a necessary evil at Second Helpings with all of the dish towels! “Usually, there are only 2 or 3 laundry shifts out of 13 during the week that are filled, so I try to do a load when I can.” Most recently, Brock has added leading van wash groups to his Second Helpings roles.
His favorite part of Second Helpings? The good mission. “Put simply, it’s helping hungry people. There’s no messing around when you’re here. They’ll put you to work, but you get stuff done and you know it’s going to a good cause.” Brock likes that the most use is gotten out of the least amount – “they use everything here.”
While on the routes, the partner agency Brock most enjoys visiting Pride Park. “The lady who runs it – Dolly. She runs a tight ship. She’s all business but she gets it done.” He also enjoys visiting Visions Child Care and seeing the children (sleep). “To feed thousands of kids every day is pretty cool.”
Volunteers like Brock Lee, even when they want to use fake names to conceal their identity and try to decline their Volunteer of the Month award, make up the core of the mission of Second Helpings and truly help transform lives through the power of food. Interested in feeding hungry Hoosiers alongside Brock? Take action.
Written by Abby Rolland