To wrap up Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are delighted to introduce you to Crispin Birnbaum, a Food For Free Site Captain who has been volunteering with us for several years, and in several capacities.
Cris brings a cheerful, easy organization to her volunteer shifts and keeps things moving right along by giving helpful tips to volunteers so they can most efficiently pack Healthy Eats grocery boxes, which often have heavier produce items like beets and potatoes alongside more fragile items, such as eggs. She is a delight to have on our team!
Tell us something about yourself!
I am an attorney, retired from the Commonwealth since 2018. For the past five years, I have been an Access to Justice Fellow. I assist people with criminal records to get back on their feet and move forward productively. Directly, I work in several legal clinics to assist people seal and expunge their criminal records, if eligible. Indirectly, I conduct trainings throughout the Commonwealth on the Massachusetts criminal records system, sealing, and expungement. Those I train include attorneys, law students, non-profit staff such as social workers and counselors, government employees, veterans’ support group staff, and people with records. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have become an avid gardener. I also love cooking, traveling, and movies.
What is your favorite Food For Free volunteer shift?
I like the Friday morning Healthy Eats shift because of the great volunteers and, of course, working with Simon, our patient leader.
What motivated you to start volunteering with Food For Free?
Years ago, I started volunteering in the Family Meals program in the basement of a church in Watertown. It was a quirky setting, but the work of repurposing recovered food was satisfying. Once Food For Free moved to the warehouse in Somerville, I started volunteering in the Healthy Eats program to try something new. Prior to the pandemic, I also volunteered at Food For Free fundraisers like the Autumn Soup event at the pottery studio in Somerville, and the auction evening at MIT for Party Under the Harvest Moon. I have also volunteered several times with fundraising mail campaigns.
What is a big highlight or fond memory you have of volunteering with us?
Meeting the other volunteers is a highlight, but nothing beats the feeling of contributing to nutrition delivered right to the door of someone or a family in need. The quality, quantity, and variety of ingredients in every Healthy Eats box is impressive.
Please provide a quote that summarizes your perspective on volunteering with Food For Free.
Seeing those white trucks with the green Food For Free logo doing their rounds makes me smile every time, knowing how many people had to row in the same direction – many on a selfless, volunteer basis – to make a difference in the lives of so many others. It is heartwarming in today’s world.
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We hope you enjoyed our Volunteer Spotlight series! If you feel inspired to do your part to fight hunger in your community, please consider signing up to volunteer with us!
