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Recognizing 7 Years of Dedication
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2017/06 - June
The volunteers at The Food Pantry of Highlands are more than a group of individuals, they are community. The work that is done to keep the pantry shelves stocked and open takes a great many hands and several of these people have donated their time for years.
One of those is Peter Ray. His involvement began in 2010 through his work with the International Friendship Center, one of the parent organizations of the pantry. Ray is a man of faith and his strong religious and moral values led him to do all he could to welcome strangers to our community. He has served on the Board of the Friendship Center and has been its Chair since
January 2016.
Executive Director of the Food Pantry Marty Rosenfield says, “Peter is soft spoken, passionate, giving, and dedicated to the needs of the Pantry.”
For the last seven years Peter has spent every other Friday unloading the truck that delivers goods from MANNA Food Bank. He and many others receive hundreds of pounds of food that are then passed to other volunteers who stock the shelves.
When asked what changes in the pantry he has seen over the last seven years, Peter says, “There is much more good food available and more clients who come to get the food. Under Marty’s leadership, it feels like a much more welcoming and friendly place.”
In fact, last year Rosenfield noted the Food Pantry of Highlands served over 4,000 clients. These clients are able to supplement their grocery budgets thanks to the help of Peter and others like him.
Why volunteer? According to Peter, volunteers are doing something concrete for the people of our community.
“It has the advantage of being regular and time-limited so you know what to expect and can plan your weekly schedule around volunteer work,” he says. “It’s also fun to work with others and know you are doing something useful.”
There are many ways to help support the Food Pantry of Highlands. For more information on making monetary donations and volunteering your time, contact Andrea Smith at the International Friendship Center, (828) 526-0890; or Executive Director Marty Rosenfield, at (828) 526-9828.
