Passionate About People: Meet Partner Services Volunteer Georgina Thompson
Why volunteer?
While this might seem like a simple question, we’ve found that when we ask our volunteers about the reason they support our mission, there is a wide range of responses.
Some believe food is a basic human right. Others simply want to improve their community. Still others see it as an opportunity to give back to an organization that has helped a family member, friend, or even themselves.
Georgina Thompson wanted to help others in her home state, and while looking at non-profit websites, she found that MFB’s mission statement really resonated with her.
“When I saw the food bank’s mission was feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders, I said ‘that’s where I want to start making a difference – at the Maryland Food Bank.’”
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Georgina volunteers in the Partner Services reception area, assisting Network Partners that come to our Baltimore warehouse to pick up food or participate in trainings. “I’ve met so many nice people here, like Ms. Agnes from Liberty Church and Reverend Samuel from Fishes and Loaves,” she shared. And when needed, Georgina pitches in by doing paperwork or data entry.
“We are fortunate that Georgina chose to donate her time to us,” said Thomas Higdon, MFB’s volunteer program manager. “Having regular volunteers like her is such a luxury – partners see a familiar face when they come in and knowing that she is there every Tuesday and Wednesday allows us to focus our resources on doing more for more Marylanders.”
Thompson, who was born in Jamaica, has a long history of helping others. In her native country, she noticed that a neighbor of hers, a schoolteacher, was living alone and saw an opportunity to assist. Before moving to the United States, she’d help him with various responsibilities, including grading papers and much-needed household tasks.
After relocating from Jamaica, growing up in the Bahamas and living in Brooklyn, NY, Georgina now commutes more than 60 miles roundtrip from her current home in Montgomery County to help improve the lives of hungry Marylanders.
On the days she volunteers, she rides her electric scooter to pick up public transportation that takes her to Union Station in Washington, DC. Following a 30-minute MARC Train ride from DC to Halethorpe, she rides her scooter for nearly two miles to our Baltimore warehouse.
Her giving spirit has impressed the MFB staff that she works with. “Georgina is always on time, is willing to help wherever is needed, and greets everyone with her beautiful smile,” noted Partner Services representative Darlene Johnson.
Since her first shift on December 11, 2018, Georgina ranks in our Top 5 of all 2019 volunteers (in terms of hours) volunteering a total of 318 hours, saving the food bank the equivalent of $9,110.70.
While her time volunteering is primarily spent in the public-facing Partner Services lobby, she sees opportunities for interested people to help in other ways. “There’s so many ways to volunteer at the Maryland Food Bank! You can work in the warehouse sorting food, in the kitchen helping prepare food, or even doing administrative tasks in the other departments.”
Georgina’s shared that her experience in volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank has even shaped her future, one where she envisions doing even more for hungry Marylanders. “I think someday I’d like to open my own food pantry.”
Will You Volunteer?
There are many ways for volunteers to help at the Maryland Food Bank.
Whether sorting food, harvesting crops, prepping meals, helping in the office, or serving as a nutrition ambassador, Maryland Food Bank volunteers make a big impact in the lives of hungry Marylanders.
