From Illinois to California, Nebraska, and even Washington, D.C., Bill’s career in radio took
him across the country. After decades behind the microphone, he recently retired and began looking for new ways to fill his time.
At church, Bill heard a call for food pantry volunteers and signed up right away. He has been helping at the Peace Lutheran Food Shelf in Fargo, supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank, ever since. Volunteering has opened his eyes to the many different faces of hunger. “It’s interesting to see the variety of people who really need help,” Bill says.
“People of so many different ages and backgrounds. People who grew up here and lived their whole life here. People whose last names I recognize. … People who’ve been professionals of one sort or another.” From large families with young children to single individuals, from full-time workers still struggling to make ends meet to those needing more ongoing support; each person’s story is unique, but the need for compassion is universal.
While Bill wishes they could provide even more food for those seeking assistance, he knows that every little bit helps. And he sees how deeply it is appreciated. “People are very expressively grateful [for the food]. They will say, ‘Thank you. God bless you. I really appreciate you doing this. Thank you so much for doing this.’”
For Bill, volunteering to help end hunger is about more than distributing food. It is about creating a safe and welcoming environment where everyone who walks through the door feels seen, respected, and supported.