Volunteer Spotlight: Karen

Chances are that you have already met Karen who volunteers for shifts at Open Table in nearly every area of the pantry. She works around 20 hours per week on shifts and even more behind the scenes. Karen works on the phone team making calls to clients to help them with their online orders, shops those orders on pick and pack teams, works both distribution and the client administration desk during the drive-by pantry and cooks in the kitchen specializing in vegetarian meals. She also serves as the kitchen coordinator working to schedule volunteers for the cooking and dishwashing shifts to assure the kitchen runs smoothly.

Karen is a long-time resident of West Concord, having lived in the area for over 30 years. When asked why she chose to donate her time to Open Table, she responded: “I feel strongly that no one in the community should experience food insecurity, and all should have access to a reliable and healthy food resource. Open Table’s approach to offering a variety of foods customized to the clients, combined with the wonderful meals the kitchen produces, truly reflects the mission of Open Table which I wholeheartedly support. I love helping people and giving time is the perfect way to do so. I speak with a subset of clients on a regular basis and hear the gratitude in their voices for what we provide– it is truly amazing. Volunteering has also given me opportunities to make new connections and meet a whole group of terrific, caring people whom I never would have met had I not volunteered here.”

Favorite vegetable?

Hands down, roasted cauliflower! And kale runs a very close second–raw in salads.

Restaurant or local business to recommend? 

Nashoba Bakery has the best bread and sandwiches; Marshall Farm for fresh veggies and West Side Creamery in Acton for homemade ice cream!