Name: Shelia A. Grandison
What inspired you to volunteer at Feed More? Before I retired from the Federal Government, I knew I wanted to do something to help others in my community. The organization I worked for sponsored an information day for places such as Meals on Wheels. As fate would have it, my sister had been volunteering with Feed More’s Meals on Wheels for years and suggested it to me. I started going with her to run routes in Henrico and Hopewell. From that experience, I was hooked.
How do you lend a helping hand at Feed More? And how long have you been doing it? I started riding along on routes with my sister in 2012. Since 2014, I’ve helped by running routes when someone unexpectedly calls in. I assist new site managers and roving personnel get familiar with Meals on Wheels in the Tri-cities, and I sometimes serve as Field Site Associate. I have also been a member of the Feed More Volunteer Advisory Council for a couple of years and in 2017 was presented the Hank Rothenberg Award—a very proud moment.
What do you love most about volunteering at Feed More? I love the smiles I get from the meal recipients! They are constantly providing accolades; sharing their stories and making me feel as if I actually brighten their day.
What is your favorite memory at Feed More? The Feed More Volunteer Advisory Council met as a group to work on a BackPack packing session. Various people arrived, worked together in harmony and having fun while providing a needed assignment for Feed More. I love meeting new people and especially those who put themselves ahead of others.
Where is the coolest place you have traveled to and/or want to travel to? Not sure about the coolest, but the most interesting place was Calcutta, India. I have grown observing difference in the culture. The coping, enduring, struggles of the people to survive day to day. I aspire to visit Australia someday. This would be another chance to observe a different way of life.
When you’re not volunteering, what is your favorite thing to do in Richmond? After living in Northern VA for 30 years and moving back to Central VA, I missed the variety of dining experiences. Although I don’t venture to Richmond often, I love eating out. I also enjoy concerts at the Altria.
Why should people volunteer at Feed More? The experience of helping others is an overwhelming feeling. When other nonprofit organizations ask for assistance, you often wonder if what you provide really gets to the root of helping others. At Feed More and Meals on Wheels particularly, there is no doubt. Getting to meet the managers and listening to how they strive to reach out is satisfying and makes me want to do more. Although I do not live in Richmond proper, there are other ways to assist outside the city limits. There are no stresses placed on volunteers to do more than they are willing.
