Martha’s Village and Kitchen could not help the number of people we do without the help of volunteers. Volunteers are a crucial part of any organization especially in the non-profit industry. Recently staff interviewed a few volunteers that spend their time helping at Martha’s and shared their responses below. Here is a little insight as to why some of our volunteers chose to volunteer their time at Martha’s Village and Kitchen.
Susan
has been volunteering at MVK for over 4 years in our Administration Department. She helps with various jobs, but closely with the Community Relations Coordinator. Susan helps with a variety of tasks depending on project needs and deadlines. Some examples are: answering phones, data entry, filing, maintenance of office space, and helping with special events.
Q: What made you start volunteering at Martha’s Village and Kitchen?
A: We are retired and had not volunteered in the past on a regular basis. We were reading the newspaper and saw that Martha’s Village and Kitchen had an orientation that night. A few days after orientation, the coordinator called and asked when we wanted to start volunteering. We started a few days later. I can’t stand long in the kitchen and they had a position in the Admin department which I am familiar with so I started there, it is now going on 5 years. My husband has been volunteering at the Thrift Store since then as well.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MVK?
A: I like coming to my job.
Q: Why do you like volunteering here?
A: I feel I have skills that further the MVK mission.
Q: Have you volunteered in different departments at MVK?
A: No, only in the back office and administration.
Q: What thing have you done that has given you the greatest personal satisfaction?
A: I think my administrative assistant and clerical background helped organize and clarify different aspects of the department. I feel good about myself and what I have done that day. I was asked to edit and standardize the descriptions of jobs available to volunteers at Martha’s. It was a challenge that I enjoyed. I feel valued by all the MVK staff.
Leroy
loves to give back to his community. He has been volunteering since 2012 in our Resource Room helping clients apply for jobs and look for housing.
Q: What made you start volunteering at Martha’s Village and Kitchen?
A: I have been in the volunteer service before and I have volunteered in other endeavors. I like volunteering at MVK because it helps people directly in our community. That means a lot to me.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MVK?
A: I like to help others and give back to the community.
Q: Why do you like volunteering here?
A: It’s a way of giving back and creating social currency with all the clients I interact with. I meet a lot of people from the community along the way.
Q: Have you volunteered in different departments at MVK?
A: Yes, with the USDA distribution, helping Admin with the 5K registration. I help get the food ready and packaged at the USDA Distribution. I help the two days before Thanksgiving with the packet pick up process for the people in the race.
Q: What thing have you done that has given you the greatest personal satisfaction?
A: I like being here for the staff, clients and customers. It makes me feel good to help others.
Stacia
is a longtime volunteer in our resource center and at special events like our monthly USDA Food Distribution. Stacia volunteers 7 days a week from 9am to 4:30pm in our Cooling Center. She keeps movies on all day for the clients, makes sure clients have cold refreshing water, and helps clients find jobs and housing by utilizing the computers.
Q: What made you start volunteering at Martha’s Village and Kitchen?
A: I wanted to volunteer at Martha’s Village and Kitchen to give back. I was a resident years ago and I wanted to help people the way the staff at MVK helped me. They were wonderful to me and if I can help the public in the same way, I will try.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MVK?
A: I like to help the people that come to the Resource Center. The Resource Center has computers for anyone to look for a job or housing. We have phones for people to use to contact an employer or even to call and check in with their families. We also have magazines and newspapers for people to sit and read to give them a little peace of mind. I really just want people to help people get back on their feet. I like that MVK has the Health to Hope Clinic here for anyone to get free medical help.
Q: Why do you like volunteering here?
A: It’s satisfying for myself and others. I am very thankful to the staff for helping me get the resources in the Resource Center for the clients. They provide us with all the current job listings and any job fairs to post in the center. They also update us with the Health to Hope Clinics times and days.
Q: Have you volunteered in different departments at MVK?
A: Yes, I used to do the readings in the Chapel on Wednesdays and I help out at the monthly U.S.D.A Distributions by helping the line get through faster.
Q: What thing have you done that has given you the greatest personal satisfaction?
A: Being here, helping the others and working with the great staff gives me the greatest satisfaction.
Manuel
has been volunteering with MVK for 2 years in the food service department. Manuel is here 5 days a week at 6am. He loves helping and feeding those in need gives him great satisfaction.
Q: What made you start volunteering at Martha’s Village and Kitchen?
A: In my heart, I like to help people. I heard around the valley about Martha’s helping the homeless so I decided to come visit.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MVK?
A: I like helping in the kitchen because I know I am helping feed those that are hungry.
Q: Why do you like volunteering here?
A: Helping people is my mission. I feel as though I am helping those less fortunate.
Q: Have you volunteered in different departments at MVK?
A: No, just the kitchen. Feeding hungry people, especially kids, is in my heart.
Q: What thing have you done that has given you the greatest personal satisfaction?
A: I like the interaction with the client. I will continue with my mission to help others until I can no longer help.
Robert
is new to the volunteer program at MVK. Robert likes to help out wherever he can, at times in different positions in one day. He likes to volunteer in the Cooling Center and likes that he interacts with the public on a daily basis.
Q: What made you start volunteering at Martha’s Village and Kitchen?
A: I like to volunteer because I like to work with people and volunteer for a living.
Q: What is your favorite thing about MVK?
A: My favorite thing is working with the families and helping with their needs in the Resource Room.
Q: Why do you like volunteering here?
A: I like that I have the option to volunteer in different departments.
Q: Have you volunteered in different departments at MVK?
A: Yes, I have volunteered in Children’s Services reading to the kids or hanging out in the playground. I helped in the administration department with files but I really like to stick to the cooling center.
Q: What thing have you done that has given you the greatest personal satisfaction?
A: Since volunteering I have a different view at life and the way I see things. I used to think that I was down and out at home but then I started volunteering and at MVK and I see the homeless clients that literally have nothing and it sets me back into place. I see kids without homes and it really makes me see the way things could be. Helping in anyway makes me feel good.
We are very grateful for the dedication our volunteers provide us day in and day out. MVK staff and volunteers work together to make a difference in our community. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of others please call 760-347-4741 ext 128 or visit us online by clicking HERE.