Today, we invite you to meet Amanda Tweed, Food For Free Healthy Eats Site Captain. Amanda has been a dedicated volunteer for many years, and has seen firsthand how the need in the community, and Food For Free’s capacity to meet that need, has scaled up over those years.
Amanda’s reliable, twice monthly presence at our Packing & Distribution Center is so meaningful to our team. The way she humbly shows up and brings her whole self to her shifts positively impacts not only the recipients of the Healthy Eats food boxes, but also the days and lives of her volunteer teams and Food For Free staff members, who look forward to seeing her every other Sunday.
Tell us something about yourself!
I grew up in Pennsylvania, but came to Boston in the early 90’s for college and have been a resident of Cambridge for 19 years. When not working or volunteering, I am passionate about hiking, backpacking, biking and walking the city, and spending time engaged in creative pursuits at the Cambridge Public Library and Fabville in Somerville.
What is your regular Food For Free volunteer shift?
I serve as the Sunday morning Healthy Eats site captain twice a month. Sundays are generally quiet, and the fact that I get to see the familiar faces of so many regular volunteers (both box packers and home delivery drivers) always makes me smile. Working with Simon for so many years has been a true pleasure. The community of volunteers and staff is just phenomenal, and starts my Sunday off on the right foot!
What motivated you to start volunteering with Food For Free?
A friend who is no longer able to volunteer told me about the program some years back and I decided to give it a try. In the past, I had volunteered and served on the board at the Friday Night Supper program in Boston. Many of the volunteers there felt passionate about having direct contact with the guests; I was happy washing dishes. Packing boxes of food for Healthy Eats is a bit like washing dishes, as you‘re behind the scenes helping to make it all happen. It truly takes a village. And the program gives me so much more than I give to it. I am forever indebted.
What is a big highlight or fond memory you have of volunteering with us?
At the old Inman Street location, watching Simon and another volunteer managing the cart full of boxes going down the steep ramp (and then back up the other side) — wondering if they’d be able to keep it together. I’m not sure that it constitutes a fond memory, but I was always relieved when they got through it without anyone being injured! I’m glad that is no longer a part of Sunday morning shifts….
Please provide a quote that summarizes your perspective on volunteering with Food For Free.
“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.” – Herman Melville
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It does truly take a village to execute the Food For Free mission – join Amanda and the rest of our community and volunteer with us!
