When Stephanie first walked into the Central Texas Food Bank in 2019, she was searching for more than just something to do with her time, she was looking for community. Having just left her job and considering a career transition, she wanted to find a way to stay active, meet people, and give back. A friend who had volunteered with us encouraged her to give it a try, and Stephanie’s journey as a dedicated volunteer began.
Her first shift was in the kitchen, complete with hairnets and the chill of a walk-in freezer.
“It was really neat to see that kind of large-scale kitchen environment and the process of preparing meals from start to finish,” Stephanie recalled. “Everyone was welcoming, friendly, and dedicated, it was good energy to be around.”
When COVID-19 struck, Stephanie didn’t step away, she stepped up. She pivoted to volunteering at mobile food distributions, where she could still serve while staying outdoors.
“People needed help, and I wanted to be part of that. It helped me, too, helping others gave me a sense of purpose in such an uncertain time,” she said.
Stephanie’s dedication is deeply rooted in empathy. Having experienced food insecurity herself, she knows firsthand the difference that access to nutritious meals can make.
“I know what it’s like to struggle. We’re all here together to help each other, and if I can share what I have, I want to do that.”
For Stephanie, volunteering is about building connections. She often takes note of how many families are served at a distribution and shares those numbers on social media to encourage others to join.
“News articles give you numbers, but when you’re out in the community, you see the faces. You say ‘hello,’ recognize people, and share that human connection. It makes the need real.”
Her time at mobile food distributions has given her countless memorable moments, from children and dogs excited to see new faces during the pandemic, to an unexpected visit from a foster monkey named Toby. But what stands out most to Stephanie is the shared gratitude between volunteers and neighbors.
“We’re in this together,” she said. “Thank you for coming. Thank you for being here with us.”
When asked what “making tomorrow possible” means to her, Stephanie reflected on the idea of planting seeds today for a better tomorrow.
“It takes care, tending, and intention to get to tomorrow,” she said. “Not everyone has the resources on their own, but together, we do. If you meet someone’s basic needs today, you set the stage for them to flourish tomorrow.”
Stephanie often volunteers on her own, but she continues to spread the word in hopes of inspiring others to join her.
“Before I started, volunteering felt a little scary, like this big unknown. But once you take that first step, you realize it’s not so scary at all. It’s a chance to connect, to take control of how you show up for others, and to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
For Stephanie, the Central Texas Food Bank isn’t just a place to give, it’s a place to belong. And through her service, she’s helping ensure that more Central Texans have the support they need today, tomorrow, and beyond.
Inspired by Stephanie? Sign up to volunteer now and help make a difference!
