For longtime friends and Food Lifeline supporters Kim Oki and Ann Morrison, volunteering is a way of life. Each week, they provide critical administrative support to our volunteer and events programs. From coordinating volunteer groups and managing important data to advocating for food security in their broader community, both women have found purpose and connection in giving back. Their stories highlight the power of lifelong volunteerism, the importance of friendship, and the meaningful role volunteers play in supporting Food Lifeline’s mission to advance food security.

Ann was introduced to Food Lifeline through Kim after the two moved into the same building – The Tukwila Village Senior Living Apartments – and quickly became friends. Kim had first been introduced to Food Lifeline through her work at Boeing and had been volunteering at Food Lifeline for many years. When Ann mentioned that she had previously volunteered at a food bank and was interested in finding a new volunteer opportunity, Kim suggested Food Lifeline. They soon began volunteering together.

Today, they job share a regular Tuesday shift, alternating weeks to provide critical support for the volunteer program. They monitor sign-ups and send reminders to help ensure each sort and repack session has enough volunteers. They also research matching volunteer grants offered by many companies and send information and reminders to eligible participants. This work is essential to ensuring Food Lifeline can take advantage of available funding opportunities and direct as many resources as possible toward providing food for communities across Western Washington.

In addition, they help deduplicate volunteer records, manage and analyze data, staff community tables, and support events such as Dress Down Hunger.

One of Ann’s favorite memories is selling raffle tickets at Dress Down Hunger.

“You get into conversations with all of the guests, It’s fun,” said Kim.

Ann has especially enjoyed building relationships with Food Lifeline staff over the years.

“I love getting to know them,” said Ann. “They’re all wonderful people.”

For both women, volunteering has been a lifelong commitment. Ann said her children inspired her dedication to service. She has three children, one of whom is disabled, and this helped nurture a family commitment to helping others. Her children began volunteering regularly in middle and high school, and at first Ann’s role was driving them to and from volunteer activities. As they got older and she had more time available, she became more involved herself, eventually helping run Incredible Edible in Redwood City, California, a group that planted fruit trees throughout the city in public parks and vacant lots. Today, her children all work for nonprofit organizations.

“It’s kind of a family legacy,” added Kim.

And when Ann retired in 2020, she said, “There’s no way I’m not volunteering.” She soon began volunteering in North Seattle and Lake Forest Park before moving to south to Tukwila.

Volunteering also played a major role in Kim’s life. She has volunteered for as long as she can remember, beginning in high school by reading books for the Lighthouse for the Blind. After college, she volunteered with the Boys & Girls Club, helping prepare after-school snacks in the kitchen. Eventually, her volunteer journey led her to Food Lifeline.

“My parents always said you need to give back to the community.”

“And I’m retired so I have a lot of time, so I think it’s good to do something,“ she added. “I like that I have a regular schedule.”

Both women appreciate the flexibility of sharing the volunteer position, which allows them to travel and go camping when they choose.

Volunteering in retirement has provided structure, meaning, and community. When lifting heavy boxes for two hours starting feeling a little too intense, they were able to pivot to administrative roles, providing vital operational support while also being less physically demanding than sort and repack shifts.

“I think it’s been nice the way that jobs have kind of changed over time to accommodate us as retired people,” said Kim. “And I just look forward to many more years of doing this job.”

Supporting an organization committed to helping people is deeply meaningful to both Kim and Ann.

“You’re seeing more and more people needing the basics and you guys are doing that,” said Kim.

Ann is glad to “be able to give to an agency that’s helping so many people.”

Both women are also politically active and support their communities in a variety of ways, including attending protests, writing postcards, distributing flyers, and creating whistle kits.

The many ways they volunteer help counter the negativity they sometimes feel when watching the news.

“I feel the satisfaction of being able to help,” said Ann. “I’m doing something positive and helpful.”

“I think people don’t realize how many people are going hungry,” said Kim. “And a lot of health issues are because people aren’t getting good nutrition. I think a lot of things are more interrelated than people realize.”

Still, their friendship and commitment to collective action leave them hopeful for the future.

Kim is excited about a new health clinic opening in her neighborhood and may volunteer there as well.

“That’s something new, so it’s good that there’re providing services to the community…that need can be hopefully met a little bit more.”

“There are so many caring organizations, including Food Lifeline that are out there trying to make the world a better place,” added Ann. “That makes me very hopeful.”