Annual Meeting

We have SO many hard working, enthusiastic, and helpful volunteers that it is difficult to pick just two to call out. This year we honored Alan Budris and Karen Young.

Alan Budris

Many will be surprised to learn that Alan is a volunteer. He is a constant presence in the pantry holding many leadership roles. Most visibly, Alan helps manage the pantry but also fills in wherever needed: cooking, driving the truck, picking up food. Alan is busy behind the scenes as well. He chaired the Space Expansion Task Force resulting in the establishment of the Beharrel Street Community Donation Center. He worked as Set-up and Operations Consultant for the Center and continues to manage operations there. He also serves on the Strategic Planning Group and the Grants Committee.

Alan, a long-time Concord resident, started at Open Table about 3 years ago, pre-COVID when indoor shopping and dining were still underway. After a handful of 2-hour volunteer shifts, he began extending his hours and quickly grew into his current role. He logs in about 1000 hours/year.  Alan brings to Open Table an additional bonus; Intel Corporation, his prior employer, matches his volunteer hours with a donation/hour!

When asked why he gives so much of his time to Open Table he responded: “I retired early from Intel and after traveling, spending time with my kids, my friends, my family and gettin’ that punch list done, I was restless. So, here I am. And it is SO important to give back and help others, particularly as domestic and world events evolve and affect local situations. Come Volunteer!”

Karen Young

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.”