Volunteer Profile: Noah Becker

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: 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.

Volunteer Profile: Paul Adamsbaum Paul Adamsbaum has served as a volunteer at our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in West Harlem since 2017. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I grew up in the city and know that many of its citizens face challenges every day. Food Bank gives me the chance to help people overcome some of those challenges on a very personal level." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "Whether it was serving breakfast to seniors pre-COVID, or helping at the Grab-and-Go Pantry distributions, I was always warmed by how appreciative everyone I came in contact with was." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "For me and my wife, it's Sunday morning bagels and lox breakfast, while sitting in front of the TV watching CBS Sunday Morning and reading the Sunday New York Times." Who inspires you to serve? "My parents who, when I was growing up in Queens, instilled in me the value of helping others regardless of what rung of society's ladder we happen to occupy."