Neighbors who turn to food pantries for help often become highly effective volunteers
When our neighbors turn to our partner agencies for food assistance, it’s essential that the agency responds with compassion and a focus on the dignity of every neighbor who seeks assistance. As a result of the hard work of our many community partners, this, and so much more, becomes possible. Partners like TrueNorth Community Services operate with a high level of consideration and respect for their neighbors. Because of their genuine care for their community, they develop meaningful relationships with the folks they serve every day — relationships that help their neighbors flourish and grow well beyond their doors.
One such case is found in the story of Kelly — a mother, daughter, volunteer, and proud member of The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. At TrueNorth, she found the food she needed and the community she longed for.
Stepping through the doors of TrueNorth
Like many of our friends and neighbors, Kelly first struggled with the decision to seek the services provided by TrueNorth. Feelings like shame, hesitation, and even fear can be intimidating obstacles to overcome when reaching for a helping hand.
“It was hard,” she said. “I didn’t want to admit I needed help. I was ashamed because of my upbringing. We were taught to live off the land. We were taught what mushrooms you can eat, what plants you can eat, how to fish, how to trap, and how to turtle hunt. That’s the hardest thing to overcome, to ask for help.”
Mike Voyt, Hunger Prevention and Children’s Services Director at TrueNorth Community Services, echoed some of the difficulties they see neighbors overcoming when they choose to visit — and how TrueNorth aims to foster a positive experience for their community.
“It’s tough for a lot of folks,” he said. “Food expenses are a burden for so many families. Folks that we see every day that may have never come to us for help before are now turning to us. But the environment that we try to create is one of compassion and acceptance. Service without judgement. Providing that community feeling so that folks, when they come visit us, feel like we are right there with them. We reflect them. What they’re taking part in isn’t necessarily us providing a service for them, but them being active participants in that service with us.”
The journey to finding community and acceptance
Kelly’s patronage at TrueNorth Community Services turned out to be the first step in the unexpected but fulfilling journey of her ongoing volunteer work — and her place in a community that continues to help her thrive.
“At first, I was quiet. I was shy,” she said. “I wanted to be the smallest person in the room. But then, as time goes, people would start interacting with me. I felt more comfortable being able to interact and share with them.“
As she became more comfortable at TrueNorth, Mike began to see her unique talents and experiences.
“Kelly brings a great perspective from growing up living off the land, knowing how to utilize those resources,” Mike said. “It’s a really powerful tool to share with folks. Once we were able to get to know each other a little bit, I noticed she was an amazing organizer. Her ability and attention to detail was really valued, in terms of making sure that everything had its place and shelves were stocked. You can see her care for folks in the community every day when she comes and helps us.”
Kelly emphasizes that her time at TrueNorth really brought her out of her shell. It continues to bring fulfillment to her life in a variety of ways. She attends TrueNorth’s cooking classes to expand her culinary skill set and learn about new foods, she offers her knowledge of preparing specific foods to other neighbors who stop by, and she even brings what she’s learned to her tribe’s cooking classes.
“Up at the tribe, we have classes once a month, so I bring in some of the recipes from there,” she said. “Like today, I brought one in for Mike called Three Sisters. I tell other people about that and they get really interested. I volunteer at the tribe, too, and I bring some of the knowledge to them. We’re wrapping the cultures together, bringing it to the table, to experience all different types of food.”
A limitless future on the horizon
Even after all that she’s done to help her community, Kelly still has big dreams about what more can be accomplished.
“I want to get a community garden going out here. And then have a canning class, teach them how to can this so they can preserve it or how to make ketchup or spaghetti sauce with it.”
Growing up, Kelly gained a perspective on food and food preparation that she later shared with other neighbors attending TrueNorth. This knowledge helped neighbors become less hesitant of ingredients and foods they might not have known about previously. For unhoused neighbors attending the food center, she also takes pride in offering insight on how to prepare certain foods outside or with a fire pit.
“When some people come in and they see what we have on our shelves, they can be overwhelmed and not know what to do. I think with me growing up the way I did, I can just be like this, this, and this will be one meal and then if you got leftovers, you can freeze it for another day. We got bison in here now and we do have venison. So, I can tell people about, oh, this is how you can do your venison or this is how you can do your bison.”
As someone who has seen Kelly evolve in her role at TrueNorth, Mike takes joy in knowing that Kelly thrives in this space she’s made for herself.
“Kelly understands where a lot of these folks are coming from, which I think people really respond to. They’re able to connect with her on that level and I think that helps her in her service to others, as well. She brings such a unique perspective to the service and the work that we do. It was really fantastic seeing her step into that role.”
We’re so thrilled to hear about Kelly’s experiences with TrueNorth Community Services. We thank all of our community partners for continuing to foster these welcoming environments for our neighbors in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.