Volunteer Spotlight: Ben Nicholson
Photo: Ben Nicholson, left, with Volunteer Repack Coordinator Hank Nguyen
For this month’s spotlight we sat down with longtime Food Lifeline supporter Ben Nicholson. Currently a member of the Production Corps, he’s volunteered in numerous capacities over the years, contributing well over 1,110 hours. He says he gets more than he gives through volunteering, and loves the camaraderie that comes from being part of a team and the feeling of giving back to his community. He also volunteers at the Ballard Food Bank’s Kindness Café, serving hot meals and being part of the “whole circle of care.” We’re grateful to Ben for the huge role he plays in our mission, and the many ways he cares for members of the community.
Ben found Food Lifeline over 10 years ago, when he was looking to have a good balance between work and volunteering. At the time, he didn’t realize just how large his volunteer role would grow at Food Lifeline.
“It kind of stuck,” he laughed.
He’s gone on to contribute at least 1,110 hours – and that’s just to 2016, as far back as we can track. He’s volunteered in numerous capacities over the years, including working in mobile distribution during the pandemic.
Currently a member of the Production Corps, Ben arrives early, at about 8:00, to set up for the day’s sort. During the session, he helps to guide volunteers and answer any questions. He wraps and labels food as it’s packed into pallets, and makes sure everything ends up where it should, whether that’s in the coolers or on the racks.
“We’re there to sort of be the right hand man to the person who is leading the sort.”
He was initially in awe of the size of the whole operation. The volume of goods that he saw come through the warehouse shocked him.
“It’s surprising that there is such a huge need for Food Lifeline. You know, in the richest country in the world, and it’s growing. The need is so great, and it’s hard to see.”
Helping with this need through volunteering is deeply meaningful for Ben, and he’s adamant that since that very first session he’s gotten more out of it than he gives.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “Just being welcomed…I enjoyed being part of the team and the work was good too.”
He loves the camaraderie that comes from being part of a team, and how even when things get very busy, the teamwork somehow makes it all flow.
During the pandemic he worked at a mobile distribution warehouse in SODO, along with 100 National Guard.
“It was kind of a madhouse but it worked,” he said.
Working alongside volunteers and staff for over ten years, he’s made many connections and friendships.
“I like working with the people. It’s fun. And now I feel I’m just part of the family.”
Ben’s passion for volunteering extends beyond Food Lifeline. He’s volunteered as a reading tutor at an afterschool program, and he currently volunteers at the Ballard Food Bank in the Kindness Café, one of Food Lifeline’s agency partners. He prepares and then serves about 600 meals in a session.
“So I kind of see the whole circle of care.”
Being part of sorting and delivering the food, as well as preparing and serving the food as a meal to someone who needs it feels especially meaningful.
“It’s something that I feel I need to do,” said Ben. “A lot of us, take, but not enough of us give.”
This strong commitment to volunteering is a value instilled by his family.
“I come from a family of volunteers,” he said, “so it’s just kind of in our blood. If I didn’t do it, I would miss it.”
That tradition of volunteering he has in turn passed on to his own family. He has many memories from volunteering over the years, but his favorite was volunteering with his son.
“I’ve gotten a lot out of it. I don’t intentionally set up as an example for my kids, but when they see that I’m doing this, it’s a good thing.”
To anyone considering volunteering Ben says, “Give it a shot.”
“You might surprise yourself by how rewarding it is, and how much fun it is working with other people who share the same ideas about volunteering.”