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“It’s a great way to start the day.”
Angela and her husband Matt were all smiles after volunteering at The Food Bank Market on a hot morning in July. They spent their morning loading boxes of food into cars. They signed up for a volunteer shift to support our Project DASH Program, an important initiative that delivers food to neighbors within 10 miles of The Market who face transportation barriers.
The shift started out calm, with no DoorDash drivers in sight. Then, in a matter of minutes, at least five vehicles lined up in front of The Market with their trunks open, waiting for boxes.
Matt and Angela quickly went down the list, chatting with each driver to make sure they loaded the correct orders into each vehicle. Matt quickly put ten boxes onto a cart and wheeled it out to a sedan. He strategically placed the boxes in the trunk, the back seat and the passenger seat to make sure no orders were left behind.
Matt and Angela repeated this process several times over 30 minutes. They worked quickly and confidently. One of the drivers even commented on their efficiency.
The couple says they love supporting the Project DASH Program, especially because they’re involved at every step of the process. In addition to helping load DoorDash cars, the couple also help assemble the boxes that will be delivered.
They first started volunteering at The Market with other members of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia - Boonslick in 2024. Each month, the group prepares boxes of assorted food for the Project DASH program. Recently, the group built 90 boxes in just 30 minutes.
The volunteers noticed during one of the box assembly shifts that The Market staff were stretched thin trying to manage their tasks and assisting DoorDash drivers.
“They asked us if we would try it, and we became addicted, and here we are,” Angela said.
Angela says that there are benefits to both types of volunteer shifts within the Project DASH Program.
“I love working with our Kiwanis friends. It's a good time. It's amazing how fast you can knock out 90 boxes, and then I really enjoy (DoorDash distribution). We enjoy sending it off. The drivers are usually really friendly and courteous and helpful, and they're happy to help our neighbors,” she said.
Matt echoed his wife’s feelings.
“We enjoy building the stack in the warehouse as we're building the boxes, and then we enjoy watching the stack go out into the community on these days. So it's a it's win-win on both sides,” Matt said.
Matt and Angela encourage people to consider volunteering at The Market.
“It's really just a giant family, and everyone makes you feel welcome as a volunteer when you come in. All the professional staff treat everyone that comes in here, our community, our neighbors and the volunteers with the utmost respect,” Matt said. “I think if you're nervous (about volunteering), this is the place to come.”
“I've never left The Food Bank mad, so it's a great way to start a day. It's a great way to start a Wednesday once a month, and it's a great way to start Friday twice a month,” Angela said.
“Head into the weekend with a full heart,” Matt added.
The Project DASH Program is just one way to get involved. The Market needs volunteers for a variety of roles, including stocking shelves, greeting neighbors, checking people in and more! If you are interested in volunteering at The Market, you can register for a new volunteer training session on our website.
Watch the video below to hear from Matt and Angela's about their experience volunteering at The Market: