Volunteer Spotlight: Marlys Waldo
Volunteer Marlys Waldo is a longtime supporter of Food Lifeline, and over the past six years has worked on everything from sort and repack to assisting with mailings to preparing for big events. She sat down with us this month to share why she volunteers, and why she believes she “gets back more than she gives.” She loves supporting her community and building relationships with fellow volunteers, and has inspired many others to come in and volunteer with her. She has already logged over 160 hours, with no signs of slowing down. We’re grateful to Marlys for her commitment to our mission, and for all the infectous positive energy she brings to our team.
Marlys first discovered Food Lifeline in 2018 when a small group from her church began volunteering together. Knowing how many people experience food insecurity, Marlys said she “was delighted to know that a place like this existed.”
Their group kept coming in regularly. When the pandemic hit, they transitioned from hands-on warehouse work to socially distanced tasks like mailings, which allowed them to continue volunteering while still providing some welcome social interaction. More recently, Marlys has helped with event preparation.
“It’s been a good combination of feeling like we’re doing something worthwhile and helpful to other people, but having an opportunity to socialize,” said Marlys.
Some of the volunteers from Marlys’s group echoed these motivations for volunteering:
Cheryl: “I volunteer to help others. I feel very privileged in my life and should share the privilege. Food Lifeline is just that—a lifeline—for some of our neighbors so we should help to make a community where food security is not a problem.”
Joanne: “I continue to volunteer as I like Food Lifeline’s cause. I enjoy volunteering with friends and Food Lifeline’s team.”
Commitment to community and helping others runs in the family. Marlys’s brother works for a food distribution center as a truck driver back in Wisconsin, where she grew up. And her Mom volunteered at a resale charity shop that raised money for disabled children for many years. The organization running the shop counted up her hours and concluded that her Mom had worked the equivalent of ten full-time years as a volunteer.
“So I have a lot to live up to!” said Marlys.
“I guess I was raised to be concerned about how other people are doing, and being a part of making their lives better. I’ve always felt the need to be helpful and share the gifts in whatever way that I can.”
This commitment to giving back is reflected in her career working at non-profits, and comes full circle with her volunteer work with Food Lifeline.
“So many people who work in nonprofits say that they get more from it than what they give. And I think there’s a feeling of well-being of having shared and hopefully, making somebody’s day better.”
-Marlys Waldo
She adds that volunteering is also fun! She recommends that anyone thinking about volunteering come and try it out.
“It’s probably easier than they expect and more fun than they than they expect.”