Volunteer Profile: Anna Perris-Rigoutsos & Franklin Rigoutsos

Volunteer Profile: Belinda Cheng Belinda Cheng has served as a volunteer since 2012. She most recently served with us as a VITA volunteer for the 2022 tax season. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I like that Food Bank’s mission has tangible, immediate impacts in our communities, whether it’s pantry distributions or helping clients file their taxes for free to secure much-needed refunds." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "I’ve served in many capacities with Food Bank over the years: the annual New York City Wine & Food Festival; repacking at the Warehouse in the Bronx; and, most recently, as a VITA volunteer tax preparer. I like the in-person interactions with clients, and my fellow volunteers." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "Lunar New Year meals are always a special time for family reunions and tasty food!" Who inspires you to serve? "I am inspired by the joy, gratefulness, and smiles on the clients' faces. If you have the ability to serve, you should! "

Volunteer Profile: Eleanor Haskin Eleanor Haskin is a volunteer at our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry who has served more than six hours of service, with hopes for returning as much as her schedule allows. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? I’ve always appreciated that Food Bank’s mission extends beyond food distribution and focuses on maintaining dignity and sustaining the community with things like tax help and the senior center. What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? Not a specific memory, but my sister is the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry, so I visit her there. It feels like a real community— I love coming back and seeing familiar faces and catching up with the staff and clients. I feel like I know people there now and they know me. Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. I went vegan as a teenager, and it’s been special to rediscover meals from childhood made with new ingredients. My mom used to make spaghetti Bolognese a lot. I started making it with walnuts and mushrooms as “meat.” My mom was skeptical at first, but she loves it now and it’s become a staple. Who inspires you to serve? My fellow New Yorkers!

Volunteer Profile: V. Jane Orendain Jane Orendain has served with Food Bank For New York City for seven years as a volunteer supporting the annual New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF). Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "As a volunteer at various soup kitchens like The Bowery Mission, The Salvation Army, and St. Bart's Church, I have realized that agencies are dependent on Food Bank for all the supplies they need to be able to serve hungry New Yorkers." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "While serving on the ground across various NYCWFF events, I realized how much every single volunteer is needed to meet the goals of the New York City Wine & Food Festival." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "Anything that is tasty while providing me with the balanced nutrition I need to satisfy my hunger, while also keeping me healthy and fit!" Who inspires you to serve? "Food Bank's work inspires me to serve because I realize how much organizations like Food Bank are needed to be able to feed those who are hungry in this city."