Every year, 3,500 individuals pass through our doors, providing hours of time, energy and service to advance VEAP’s mission of ending food insecurity in our community. Learn what drove them to join our team and why VEAP is close to their hearts in our Volunteer Spotlight series.
Ann challenged herself to become certified through the Department of Transportation in order to drive VEAP's Mobile Food Pantry. She felt inspired to reach under-resourced parts of her community. Learn why Ann keeps coming back to VEAP.
Bonnie serves as a Phone Intake volunteer and loves being the happy voice on the end of the phone line to help connect people with resources at VEAP. She believes that nothing we have is truly ours, so we ought to give back. See why she chose VEAP.
Diane volunteers as a Van Driver, providing rides home to people from the Food Pantry. She's learning the Bloomington community much better, and says she's been so surprised to learn that others "right in our community, our neighborhood, almost right next door need help." Read more from Diane.
Heidi and Carter are a son-and-mom volunteer duo who love to take advantage of VEAP's flexible scheduling. The pair sorts through produce on Thursday evenings and say they "haven’t met one person that hasn’t been nice. Everyone is really helpful and friendly." Hear more from Heidi and Carter.
Jan felt compelled to join VEAP as a volunteer after learning about the volume of food moving through our Food Pantry and how quickly things spoil. "It breaks my heart to throw things out." She feels good after a day of helping out in the Warehouse, sorting through produce for our shoppers. See why else she loves VEAP.
Joyce primarily volunteers in our Warehouse, but also bakes banana bread in our NEAT kitchen, and serves on a variety of committees. She volunteers at VEAP three days a week! See why Joyce says the community here "feels like family."
Katie has volunteered with VEAP in a variety of roles, but her favorite is greeting individuals when they first walk into our lobby. "If I can make their day better for even 10 minutes that just warms my heart." As a self-described shy person, Katie has still found her niche at VEAP. Read more.
Kay has over a decade of volunteer experience with VEAP and says the best, untold secret of volunteering is the great fun our crew has. She spends her time at VEAP orienting new volunteers and greeting them when they check-in for their shifts. See why volunteering is so meaningful to her.
Lucia started volunteering with VEAP in 2015 as a way to start practicing her English. Since then, she's worked in a variety of roles across the volunteer team and says her favorite part is supporting the Latino community. She also loves seeing the smiles on young kids' faces when they get birthday bags! Read more from Lucia.
Mike began volunteering with VEAP in 1999 and hasn't looked back since! As a Van Driver, he loves getting to connect with people on their way home from the Food Pantry. Learn why Mike believes VEAP is a "phenomenal place to be."
Nancy is VEAP's "Book Lady," and loves collecting books for our free bookshelf. She also helps out in our Warehouse, Distribution area, and cooks banana bread for our shoppers. Nancy looks forward to every shift so she can connect with her fellow volunteers. Read why she keeps coming back.
Nancy volunteers twice a week in our Distribution area and says if her smile and positive attitude can touch just one person, then she's happy. She encourages everyone to be a VEAP volunteer: "You’d never believe how rewarding it is until you actually do it!” Hear more from Nancy.
Pat has helped out VEAP in a variety of volunteers roles and says she'd "go crazy" is she weren't able to volunteer. Her favorite job is data entry and phone intake. Pat's mother was a big believer in volunteering, and she says it's part of her legacy to give back. Learn why she chose VEAP.
Rod shares that "the joy and happiness at VEAP" is what truly compels him to keep serving as a volunteer. He works in Data Entry and as a Volunteer Greeter, and is amazed by how accomplished he feels at the end of each shift. See why he highly recommends becoming a VEAP volunteer.
As a long-time Volunteer Van Driver, Roger enjoys making connections with his fellow passengers and feels humbled to hear their stories. "Women in particular strike me... what they do to make life work. They don’t complain, they just do what they have to do. There is a need and a surplus, and we facilitate meeting the need." Read more.
Thomas has found his volunteer niche at VEAP as a data entry specialist. He loves using his eye for detail and patience to support our mission. There's always something happening at VEAP, and Thomas enjoys being part of the action. See why he feels he's benefiting our mission.
The Lifeworks crew, Emma, Rachael, Anna and Brian, love volunteering their time with VEAP. They've all served in a variety of roles, from Data Entry to the Warehouse. "People here are good to everyone regardless of abilities. I always want to come back." Read more about why the four are happy to spend time at VEAP.
