Donna Mitchell at a Fresh Truck distribution on April 20. (Photo courtesy of Donna Mitchell)
“That’s what I love doing because you actually get to see the people who need the food,” Mitchell said. “Shopping with them, talking with them, hearing about their hardships – it’s really rewarding.”Since 2015, the Food Depository’s Fresh Trucks have delivered fresh produce to people screened for food insecurity at partnering health centers. We currently partner with three different health systems on the distributions: Access Community Health Network, Cook County Health and Chicago Department of Public Health. Mitchell also enjoys the volunteer repack projects at the Food Depository’s warehouse in Archer Heights. She likes the mix of new volunteers and regulars like herself, the joy in the shared community of helping others. “All you hear from people afterward is, ‘I’ll be back,’” Mitchell said.
Donna Mitchell, a Food Depository volunteer, helps pack emergency food boxes.