Volunteer spotlight: meet Georgette.

09/14/2018

Name: Georgette Richards

What inspired you to volunteer at Feed More?: I was inspired to become a volunteer by the 4th graders of the school where I was principal, St. Edward-Epiphany School. Every year the 4th graders had Feed More as an outreach project to raise as much food as possible. Each 4th grade class always exceeded the previous year’s in amount of food donated to Feed More. I was privileged to attend an assembly that the 4th graders attended to learn more about Feed More. Sudeshna (Feed More’s Director of Volunteer Services) came to the school and talked about Feed More in 2010. I decided at that moment, when I retire, this is where I want to volunteer.

How do you lend a helping hand at Feed More? And how long have you been doing it?: I began volunteering in October of 2012 in the Community Kitchen. I went to the kitchen because that is where help was needed the most and I have been there ever since- starting my seventh year.

What do you love most about volunteering at Feed More?: Every week I go to Feed More and work in the Community Kitchen I am energized, inspired and invigorated by the staff that surround me. They are incredibly passionate folks who strongly believe in what they are about and the way they care about every aspect of what they do to prepare and distribute food to those in need. I have also met some awesome volunteers and I work with a regular team of volunteers each week to package weekend boxes for Meals on Wheels. We laugh, we tell stories, we have gotten to know each other’s families, and have socialized together.

What is your favorite memory at Feed More?: I have an overabundance of Feed More stories and memories- too numerous to tell! One quick memory was the day we were short one label on a box to go out for the weekend. We all searched high and low for the label and it was nowhere to be found! We were all on a mission to FIND THE LABEL. We must have spent 15 minutes taking things apart, checking all areas, etc. when I casually looked at one of the volunteers and realized the label was stuck on her arm by her elbow. We have not let her live that down!

Where is the coolest place you have traveled to and/or want to travel?: I do enjoy traveling and have been very blessed to cruise every year and most years, go on a European adventure. One of my most favorite trips was to the Mediterranean Isles. Santorini is a MUST see island in Greece. Simply amazing. Most recently, I treated a friend to parasailing for her 75th birthday and that was simply awesome. I can’t wait to do it again!

When you’re not volunteering, what is your favorite thing to do in Richmond?: When I am not volunteering, I enjoy the VMFA and the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, as well as the countless fun opportunities RVA provides seasonally. What a great place to live!

Why should people volunteer at Feed More?: The statistics for those who go hungry or are food deprived in Central Virginia are staggering. Feed More is THE MOST responsible nonprofit agency working to eliminate food deprivation anywhere in our country. People should volunteer at Feed More out of gratitude for the gifts they have received in life.

Feed More is simply a passionate place to be with people who exude positive energy to help eradicate a serious world problem. It is a pleasure and honor to serve side by side with them.