Burta Pierce: Always in our Hearts

Jul26

Volunteers are the heart of the Food Bank. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to serve families who face hunger. Each volunteer is special and contributes their grain of rice to help fight hunger.

It deeply pains us to announce that after struggling with cancer, our beloved volunteer Burta Pierce has passed away. She volunteered at the Food Bank for nine years and will be profoundly missed.

In 2007, our Volunteer Leader Cris Garza noticed a new couple had moved in across the street and decided to introduce herself. After learning that they had moved to Austin from Colorado and that Burta volunteered at the library, she invited her to volunteer at the Food Bank. Since then, Burta has been a devoted product recovery volunteer donating her time every week.

Cris and Burta carpooled to their volunteer shift every Thursday afternoon. Burta was always so eager to leave. She would wait by Cris’ car five minutes before it was time for them to head out.

“She was always ready, never late and she would stay as long as I stayed. She would never complain. She was so loyal,” Cris said. “We would laugh because it was so hot in the car. We’d open the doors up and she’d put on her big sunglasses that she had.”

Burta began volunteering in product recovery, but after falling ill she took a small break from her service. After recovering, she could no longer stand or walk. But that didn’t stop her. Instead she became known as the “Label Queen”. She began writing the label information that goes on the food distribution boxes. Even then, she would still take a break from writing labels to help other volunteers and guide younger volunteers with their service.

“The kids who volunteered were always admiring her. At her age she was volunteering. They really liked her. She was very helpful and she loved the staff,” Cris said.

Three years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and retired from her volunteer service. Even after she stopped volunteering, Burta was still involved at the Food Bank attending volunteer appreciation events and touring the new facility.

Burta was an exemplary volunteer who was passionate about helping fight hunger. Our hearts and thoughts go out to her family for their great loss. We deeply miss her, but we are grateful for the time she dedicated to truly make a difference in the lives of others.