Volunteer Profile: Eleanor Haskin

Volunteer Profile: Anna Lynn Oppenheimer Anna Lynn (pictured center) started volunteering with Food Bank in March 2022 and has since become a regular volunteer at our Community Kitchen & Pantry, serving over 20 hours! Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I am passionate about ending hunger in New York City. I strongly believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental human right and I admire the innovative ways that Food Bank works to provide New Yorkers with access to food and other important services and resources to help alleviate poverty." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "I was fortunate to be a volunteer the first day that the Community Kitchen was able to welcome volunteers again. It was inspiring to see Food Bank in action helping New Yorkers and also to meet the dedicated staff who had been courageously working on the front lines throughout the pandemic." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "I have been in New York for nearly 30 years, but as a Louisiana native, I love cooking, eating, and sharing a big pot of gumbo with family and friends. We even named our puppy “Gumbo,” in honor of our favorite meal. " Who inspires you to serve? "I am inspired by my fellow New Yorkers, those who are in need of some sort of assistance and those who are able to lend a hand to help others. We are fortunate to live together in this amazing, if complex, city and anything we can do to lift one another up benefits us all."

Volunteer Profile: Javier Gonzalez Javier Gonzalez is an avid Food Bank supporter and volunteer who has served more than 70 hours at our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in West Harlem, providing pantry bags to our clients with compassion and excitement. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? I love that Food Bank offers more than just food to the community. It offers a range of tools and services that empower clients to thrive and overcome hunger. I love seeing this work in action. What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? During my first shift at the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry, I met so many clients: one had cool personal style, another one's funny jokes cracked me up, yet another showed off award-worthy dance moves. But what stuck with me were the countless clients offering their heartfelt gratitude for Food Bank’s generosity. Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. Whenever I visit my parents, my dad makes café con leche con tostadas for breakfast: a piping hot mug of frothed, steamed milk with traditional Cuban coffee and buttered Cuban bread. Having cafe con leche for breakfast reminds me of my grandmothers, who drank it daily. Who inspires you to serve? In the last few years, my priorities have shifted, and I've felt compelled to do meaningful work. I wanted to do more than donate to important causes. The pantry distribution shifts afford me the opportunity to connect with my community face-to-face and spend a few hours each week helping people.

Volunteer Profile: Anna Perris Rigoutsos & Franklin Rigoutsos Anna and Franklin are a mother-and-son volunteer duo who have served with Food Bank For New York City since 2019. Together they have served more than 100 hours. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? A: I support Food Bank’s mission because access to food is a basic need that I believe should be available to all New Yorkers. F: I read the memoir, Free Lunch, where the author discusses his experiences as a food-insecure kid. It made me understand the importance of eliminating food insecurity. What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? F: During pantry distribution, I was able to translate, answer questions, and communicate in Spanish. It was rewarding to use what I learned in school to be able to help others. Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. A: A favorite meal for both of us is Thanksgiving dinner. My mother is an amazing cook and prepares a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes. It is a meal we look forward to all year and we are so thankful for the work she does to prepare it for us. Who inspires you to serve? A: I’m inspired to serve by Franklin. As a parent, I want to teach Franklin to be involved in and contribute to our community. The best way I can do this is by my example. F: During pantry distribution, people are so appreciative that it inspires me to keep showing up to serve my community.