Volunteer Story: “I just love rescuing surplus food!”

“It seems like a small thing to be a driver, but to know that you’re rescuing surplus food that would have gone into the landfill is great.” That’s how Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA) Volunteer driver Anna Gillon describes her experience.

Several times a month, Anna pulls up to the loading dock at Sprouts in Smyrna and fills her SUV with hundreds of pounds of surplus rescued food. She delivers it to the Gateway Center in downtown Atlanta, a SHA Partner Agency. “Recently my car was filled with boxes of spinach, prepared meals, bread, produce, cheese and smoothies—it’s just unbelievable!”

As a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, which has historically been involved in hunger issues, Anna has long been concerned about those in need. When a friend, Volunteer driver Amy Durrell, told Anna about SHA she knew it was the perfect volunteer job. “I hate sitting in meetings and this is a tangible thing I can do,” she explains. Anna, a fit 57, loves the physical aspect of being a driver. She also appreciates helping those in need without having to ask for money. “I just really love doing this,” she adds.

With its army of Volunteer drivers, SHA serves as the link between a network of over 60 Food Donors and more than 30 Partner Agencies. SHA is currently looking for  driving and non-driving Volunteers. The latter are needed for help with grant writing, marketing/PR, technology, event planning and administration to support our expanding operation.