Volunteer Spotlight: Jonah Hister
Jonah Hister first connected with Food Lifeline as a longtime donor, inspired by our mission to reduce hunger and food waste. Now a dedicated Production Corps volunteer, Jonah shows up early, coffee in hand, ready to set up stations, haul pallets, and make sure every detail is ready before volunteers arrive. His volunteer work is deeply meaningful to him, and over time his role has become “part of his identity.” Volunteering allows Jonah to put his values into action – supporting community care, environmental stewardship, and giving back – while contributing to work that makes an immediate, tangible difference.
Giving back through volunteering is one of Jonah’s core values. As a stay‑at‑home parent, he found he had a bit more flexibility as his children got older, and decided to start volunteering regularly at Food Lifeline. He’s found that he really enjoys playing a hands‑on role in getting nutritious food to people in the community.
“I love the feeling of volunteering,” said Jonah. “I’ve been doing it for a long, long time at different organizations. I feel very lucky to be where I am.”
Soon, he was recruited to Production Corps. His responsibilities expanded. When he comes in on Wednesday mornings, he sets up for the incoming volunteer shift, doing everything from setting up the stations and making sure the scales are working, to helping to guide volunteers during the shift and keeping everything organized and safe.
“I like it all,” said Jonah. “It’s physical and I like not just being in one spot, one station, but I also really just like to volunteer. When I just get to pack, I also find that really fun.”
For him, volunteering is also way to give back to his community. When the problems of the world feel overwhelming, he focuses on his local community and how he can help the people around him.
“It feels really good to be able to give my time, which is really what volunteering is about.”
Being able to give back in a tangible way with every shift is deeply meaningful to him.
“You feel good at the end of your shift because you have done something concrete to make a difference.”
Having grown familiar with the deliveries coming and going out of the warehouse, he knows the food is going to be delivered to local food banks quickly – usually within hours.
“This isn’t one of those projects where you show up and don’t really know if it matters. You can see the impact of your work that day. Food goes out almost immediately to people who need it.”
And seeing the full shifts of volunteers coming in lets him know he’s in good company and keeps him hopeful. He enjoys being part of a larger community, recognizing familiar faces, and welcoming new volunteers into the work. The shared effort and camaraderie on the warehouse floor remind him that many people care and are willing to show up for their community.
One especially meaningful part of volunteering, as a parent, is modeling community care for his kids.
“It’s one thing to say you care, but you have to walk the walk. My kids see me volunteer regularly, and hopefully they understand that volunteering is always an option.”
Overall, volunteering allows Jonah to live his values of community care, environmental stewardship, and giving back.
“It checks all my boxes,” said Jonah. “That’s why I come back every week.”
