Volunteer

Suzi Francis is a blessing to GO Pantry in many ways. Not only does she volunteer her time by serving on our board, she and her family also coordinate one of our biggest neighborhood food drives of the year, our upcoming Oakbrook food drive.

Suzi first became involved with GO Pantry by supporting her oldest son, Noah’s, involvement. After a few volunteer opportunities, Noah decided he wanted to apply to be on the GPAC (GO Pantry Ambassador Council) Suzi was impressed by the mission of GO Pantry and the hearts of the leadership and wanted to support the organization herself. She started by helping with some of the student volunteer opportunities and then became an advocate and supporter through her own place of employment to help champion employer-sponsored food drives. She then decided to step into a Board of Directors position in 2022 to help further the GO Pantry mission. Suzi says “GO Pantry is important to me because it is an opportunity to directly impact our local community by decreasing food insecurity for students in NKY schools. Every decision or volunteer opportunity directly helps to provide the basic need of food for children, and that is time well spent.”

Suzi and her husband also encourage their children to volunteer. When asked how they do this, Suzi said, “I help my kids become aware of opportunities to serve, such as volunteer spots at GO Pantry, or even serving on the GO Pantry Ambassador Council. I motivate them by fostering confidence that they have the ability to make change and serving is something God has called us all to do. I’m grateful that both of my older 2 children, Noah and Nathan, have had the opportunity to serve on GPAC which has contributed to their drive to serve others and their knowledge of food insecurity. They now carry these lessons into other areas of their lives.”

Suzi, you are such an inspiration and blessing to GO Pantry and to those we serve. We can’t thank you enough for your kindness and faithful service

We love our volunteers and rely on them to help in many ways, both in and out of the warehouse. It is important to GO Pantry that every GO Bag distributed to local students has a bible verse sticker on it, so that every student feels cared for and loved.

Anne Raleigh and Carole Daily, both Employment Specialists with the Boone County School District, and their students at Ryle High School and Boone County High School have been labeling and distributing GO Bags for GO Pantry for many years. Carole says, “Preparing the GO Pantry bags for distribution is a job task ALL of the students in the Workplace Transition Program can participate in, with or without assistance, in a completely inclusive way. By participating, our students are learning counting and organization skills, lessons on how to work as a team, and the satisfaction of being able to complete a project – all things needed in the real-world work environment. We love to see our students having an opportunity to prove to themselves and to others what they are capable of – an opportunity for them to SHINE! They have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping students in their own schools and making a difference in the lives of others.”

Working in the school system, Anne and Carole see first-hand the impact that GO Pantry’s weekend GO Bags and GO Boxes make on the students who receive them. “It was astounding for us to realize how widespread food insecurity is within our own school communities, and it directly impacts a student’s ability to learn, grow, and succeed.”

GO Pantry is blessed to have you both as supporters and as friends. We can’t thank you enough for your time and dedication to helping local kids in need.

We have a very special Volunteer of the Month for the month of September. This volunteer is near and dear to all of the GO Pantry team, but especially to our Finance Director, Laura Dumancic. Laura’s husband, Dom, has a strong presence at the GO Pantry warehouse, and if you’ve met Dom, you won’t forget him! He is always willing to help but you never know when that might be or what might happen!

Several years ago, Dom went to purchase a new car for Laura. He came home with a big pick-up truck. That wasn’t what Laura was expecting! Dom said it was perfect, that they could use it for GO Pantry. Little did he know how often he would be “voluntold” by his wife and the GO Pantry team to make deliveries and pick ups for us. Dom has such a kind and giving heart and always helps when needed.

Dom also handles many of the “techy” things that need taken care of at GO Pantry. He recently helped hook up a new printer in our office. He also helped install our security cameras and door bell. (FYI the doorbell is broken so that’s on his to do list.) Can someone out there tell him we need it fixed?!? Seriously, Dom is a big help and we appreciate all he does for GP. Thank you, Dom!

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. They are truly the heart of GO Pantry.

Kyle Johnson is an employee of St. Elizabeth who first heard about us through St. Elizabeth’s annual food drive for GO Pantry. Kyle first volunteered in the GO Pantry warehouse in 2019 and has been faithfully returning year after year. When St. Elizabeth employees have the opportunity to sign up to help in the warehouse, Kyle steps up and not only helps during one of those shifts, but chooses to stay ALL DAY and help wherever he is needed.

Kyle says his favorite part about volunteering at GO Pantry is seeing so many people take time from their day to help local kids in need, while having a good time and getting to know someone new. He says that through volunteering at GO Pantry, “I got much more insight into the problem of kids who go home without a consistent meal. The first volunteer experience, and each since, have really shown me how much the small team running GO Pantry is working hard to help those kids. There is a massive amount of coordination and work they do in such a positive and uplifting way for so many kids. It’s what brings me back to help their mission!”

In Kyle’s free time he enjoys yard work, gardening, and canning what is grown with his wife. Kyle, we are blessed to have you as a friend and GO Pantry supporter! Thank you for your kind and giving heart!

Bill Miller has been a regular GO Pantry volunteer for about two years. When Bill retired, he was looking for ways to give back to the community and found GO Pantry. When asked why he volunteers at GO Pantry, Bill said, “It’s rewarding to help those in need, especially children. Food insecurity should not be a worry for kids.”

He enjoys his time at GO Pantry because “GO Pantry is so well organized. Volunteers always feel welcomed by the friendly staff. I also like that GO Pantry is faith based.” Thanks, Bill! We enjoy having you, too! We can’t thank you enough for all of the time you have spent helping GO Pantry and the kids we serve.

Ruby Bosshammer is a faithful supporter of GO Pantry. Both as a personal friend and as a member of First Church, she has supported GO Pantry since the beginning. She has watched us grow and continues to support us in countless ways. Ruby is an incredibly busy person but somehow always manages to make time to help GO Pantry and the children we serve. She says she is motivated by knowing she is helping children who may not otherwise have food to eat, “The thought of children not having a meal is heartbreaking”.

Ruby says her favorite part of volunteering with GO Pantry is getting to see friends while helping those in need. We love seeing you, too, Ruby!

When Ruby isn’t volunteering, she enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Ruby, we are blessed to have you as a friend and GO Pantry supporter! Thank you!

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

Ann Warman works at St. Elizabeth and was first introduced to us during one of St. E’s Summer GO Box food drives. We have been blessed to have her as one of our faithful volunteers ever since!

As a nurse, Ann is a natural caretaker. Her care and compassion are reflected in her service. When we asked Ann why she feels called to volunteer with us she said, “I have never known hunger and neither have my children. Some of my kids’ friends struggled with food insecurity at their homes. I always welcomed them to come to our house after school or during the summer and invited them to eat with us. I would never want anyone to go without if I can help.”

When Ann isn’t volunteering, she enjoys reading, spending time with her granddaughter, and being outside.

Ann says that her favorite things about volunteering at GO Pantry are meeting new people and packing GO Bags for kids in need. Ann, we are blessed to have you as a friend and GO Pantry supporter! Thank you!

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

Elmer Bales has been a regular volunteer at our warehouse for about 5 years. He has been a nurse with St. Elizabeth Healthcare for the last 28 years, but still finds time to give back to others.

When asked why he volunteers at GO Pantry, Elmer said, “Feeding children in need is a great way to serve others. Jesus tells us to help others and what better way than this. I had no idea there were so many children in our area suffering from food insecurity. What go pantry does is a vital service for our community.”

He enjoys his time at GO Pantry in part because “The atmosphere is very light and relaxed, everyone has a good time for a great cause.” Thanks, Elmer! We enjoy having you, too! Many thanks for all of the time you have spent helping GO Pantry.

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

As a retired teacher, Eileen Marks was first introduced to GO Pantry at the school where she worked. Many of her students received our GO Bags and GO Boxes. Eileen saw what a blessing these are to the kids who receive them.

Eileen says her favorite part about volunteering is, “Knowing that I am helping families who are suffering from food insecurity. Knowing that children may not have enough to eat when they are at home breaks my heart. Everyone deserves to feel loved. I believe your bags are a significant way of showing others that they are loved, important and worthy and that people care.”

When Eileen isn’t volunteering, you might see her out training for a race. She is an avid runner and trains for races of all distances year round. She loves to exercise but also enjoys sitting down with a good book.

You are a busy lady, Eileen! Many thanks for all of the time you have spent helping GO Pantry and the kids we serve.

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

Donna Anderson was first introduced to GO Pantry at Crossroads Church. She started helping in the Spring of 2021 and never misses an opportunity to help. Donna is always one of the first people to sign up when we have volunteer opportunities.

Donna has such a faithful and giving heart. When asked why GO Pantry’s mission is important to her, she cited two bible verses:
“Blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:21)
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
We are so grateful that Donna has chosen to share her kind heart with GO Pantry and the children we serve.

We weren’t surprised to learn that Donna was an avid runner for about 40 years. While she says she now mostly walks, she runs circles around all of us at the warehouse! We appreciate you more than you know, Donna. Many thanks for all of the time you have spent helping GO Pantry.

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

Carol McDaniel first heard about GO Pantry when her church, First Church of Christ, held a food drive for us several years ago. We have been blessed to have her as one of our faithful volunteers ever since! As a retired nurse, Carol is a natural caretaker.  Her care and compassion are reflected in her service. When we asked Carol why she feels called to volunteer with us she said,  “To know that children in our community have such a need is so sad.  It is such a blessing that Go Pantry is here to aid in that need.” When Carol isn’t volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her children and 5 grandchildren. She also enjoys playing pickleball and traveling…she even traveled to Kenya on a mission trip! Carol says that one of her favorite things about volunteering at GO Pantry is the people. She has made some great friendships through her service. Carol, we are blessed to have you as a friend and GO Pantry supporter! Thank you!

We love our volunteers! We are so thankful for their selfless service. Without them we wouldn’t be able to accomplish nearly as much or have as great of an impact.

Tom Barth started volunteering at GO Pantry during the summer of 2020. He was first introduced to GO Pantry through a food drive at his church, First Church of Christ, and he’s been volunteering with us ever since!

Tom has a true love for children and feels called to carry out God’s work through helping children in any way he can. He not only volunteers at GO Pantry, but several other area organizations as well. Tom says, “I love working with kids, especially the younger ones, and feel blessed that God gave me this gift to minister to children for His honor and glory. I tell people that retirement is the best job I ever had. And I’m working for the best boss possible, God. I never fail to leave my “jobs” with a smile on my face.” We can attest to this first hand. Tom always brings a positive attitude (along with strong muscles to help us lift heavy boxes) for which we are forever grateful!

When Tom isn’t volunteering, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Thank you, Tom, for including GO Pantry in the many ways you serve God and your community.