As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re honoring everyone who shows up to help us get healthy food delivered to our Greater Boston community, week after week. Today we’re delighted to introduce you to Ty Robinson, who volunteers with us regularly as part of the Harvard Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU) team.
A Mission-Driven Partnership
Ty’s journey with Food For Free began basically as soon as he joined the team at Harvard FCU. “I first heard about Food For Free when I got hired at Harvard Federal Credit Union,” Ty recalls. “I knew from my interviews that planning and participating at volunteer events was a huge part of the job, and I was very eager to be a part of the Food For Free mission.”
His first volunteer shift was memorable:
“It was actually my second ever day on the job at Harvard FCU, first thing in the morning. Even though I was still learning the ropes, I knew that I wanted to jump in and get my feet wet when it came to volunteering at Food For Free. I’m so glad I did because the shift was amazing! You could really feel the energy of the group as we all worked together to pack pallets of food for underserved families in the area.”
Fostering Teamwork and Community Engagement
Harvard FCU’s commitment to community service is evident through its Volunteer Initiative program (VIP), which encourages employees to participate in volunteer activities during work hours. With employees dedicating nearly 300 hours to volunteer efforts last year alone, this initiative not only benefits the community but also strengthens internal team bonds.
“Packing pallets side by side gives us a unique chance to strengthen our teamwork, connect across departments, and build relationships in a meaningful way,” notes the Harvard FCU Brand Communications Team. “It’s a rewarding experience that not only supports a great cause but also brings us closer together. We always leave with big smiles—and often a few new friends.”
The Joy of Giving Back
For Ty, volunteering is more than just a task—it’s a fulfilling experience that brings joy and a sense of purpose. He shares:
“My favorite moments so far have been when we really get in the groove as a team when packing the food. There have been a few times when I’ve heard multiple people join me in singing along to the catchy playlist that accompanies us as we laugh and connect during our shift.”
These moments underscore the camaraderie and collective spirit that define the volunteer experience at Food For Free.
Making a Tangible Impact
Understanding the direct impact of their efforts is a significant motivator for Ty and the Harvard FCU team. “After every shift I always make sure to ask when the truck we helped pack will be dropping off food boxes to families in the area. It’s always amazing to hear that the work we put in will be helping people within a few days.”
This immediate connection between action and outcome reinforced the importance of their contributions to the community.
Building ‘A Table For All’
Reflecting on this year’s Food For Free spring appeal theme, ‘A Table For All,’ Ty shares:
“‘A Table For All’ is more than just a theme, it is a mission statement. No one better encompasses this ideal than the folks over at Food For Free. To me, I think the quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that emblazons the wall at Food For Free HQ says it best: ‘I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.’”
This philosophy resonates deeply with the values upheld by both Food For Free and Harvard FCU.
An Invitation to Get Involved
Ty encourages others to take the leap into volunteering:
“The only way to begin is by beginning! That may sound like a joke, but really you just have to take the plunge, and the team over at Food For Free makes it easier than ever. They have multiple different volunteer opportunities… There’s a way for anyone to help out, no matter their speed.”
Whether you’re an individual looking to make a difference or a company seeking meaningful community engagement opportunities, Food For Free offers a way for you to make a meaningful difference in your neighbors’ lives.
Thank you—and Join us
This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Ty, to the rest of the Harvard FCU team, and to each and every volunteer—from lifelong supporters to first-timers. Your time, energy, and heart drive everything we achieve.
Ready to make an impact? Our seasonal volunteer onboarding will reopen a bit later this spring. Explore our individual and group volunteer opportunities and become part of a community committed to ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.
Together, we’re building a stronger community and A Table For All—one box, one pallet, one meal at a time.