Our volunteers mean the world to us! Without their support, our work would not be possible. This month, we wanted to share about one of our stellar Home Delivery Drivers, Stuart. Stuart’s volunteer journey began in 2020 during the pandemic. Four years later, he is still a weekly volunteer delivering nutritious food to our neighbors in need. He always shows up with a smile and eagerness to engage with the EFN team!
Why did you decide to volunteer with EFN?
It was a volunteer position that aligned with something I already liked doing, driving and exploring roads that I haven’t seen.
What do you like most about volunteering?
I believe that we are social animals. That we need each other to be healthy for a healthy society. And while I can’t fix the world, I can make it a little bit better. Also it is self rewarding. I am not in need of others thanking me for doing good. I have seen children get excited when I deliver, I have taken the time to describe every item in the delivery to a blind recipient, and brought the food into the homes of several people in wheelchairs. It is nice that every year I get a card from EFN appreciating my participation, but it does not come close to how I feel after knowing that I have made someone’s life just a little bit better.
Can you talk through a typical volunteer shift/ share a bit about your volunteer routine?
Normally I get to EFN for pickup shortly after 8:00. Kelvin has staged boxes and bags of food for pickup. I get the list of stops both on a phone app and paper. After loading the car and getting some coffee in the kitchen (thanks EFN!) I will look over the route. Sometimes I’ll make changes to the order of stops if it gets me closer to where I want to finish. Most of the stops are anonymous drops with a knock on the door. People that answer the door are always appreciative. A route is typically 10 to 12 stops and takes about 2 to 2-1/2 hours. I’m often driving out to more isolated parts of Pierce County, which makes my routes take longer than people whose deliveries are closer to EFN.
What do you listen to when driving?
A couple of different things, sometimes it’s NPR from KUOW. Other times it is a combination of American folk, country, and Irish music.
What hobbies do you have outside of volunteering?
I like to follow politics and news from around the world. I am also always thinking about my next road trip. The last one was to Key West, Thinking about the ALCAN highway next.
Any restaurant recommendations?
My Favorite is in Mcminnville, OR. It is Capo and one of the three owners is my son Chef Kyle. It is a wood fire Napolitano style pizzeria. Their pizzas are seasonally topped. I especially like the blueberry, spec (peppered bacon) and feta that is featured in late summer. If you ever go to Oregon wine country, you should make this one of your stops!