WSK Volunteer, Brooke Roman is in our Volunteer Spotlight!
Brooke attends 2|42 Church in Okemos and enjoys some extra special friendships with a small group of fellow members of 2|42.
The group meets weekly for bible study and spiritual support. But once a month they forego the regular meeting, choosing instead to volunteer for Weekend Survival Kits, packing food kits at the Okemos volunteer location. On the weeks the group volunteers, members bring their entire family along, including their young children. The kids help, if they are able, while the youngest ones enjoy some supervised play in a nearby room.
Brooke, who works for NEOGEN, started volunteering for WSK in 2020. She used some of her company supplied Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to come in on Thursday mornings and load food kits into vehicles. She enjoyed the work so much that she proposed the idea of volunteering as a group to her friends and they agreed!
When asked about her continuing commitment to volunteer she was very complimentary towards the WSK program. “Not only is it great to volunteer, but when it is for feeding hungry kids…it is even better!” shared Brooke. “The program is so well-organized, and the organizers are friendly and appreciative of our efforts. Working at NEOGEN, my background is food safety and nutrition so to volunteer for a phenomenal cause which addresses food insecurity for school kids is such a great way to give back. Sometimes while packing the kits, I can visualize the benefits that this food support program offers to kids. As a member of a church group at 2|42 Church I feel like blessings are flowing all around!”
Weekend Survival Kits Director of Operations, Kyla Parkllan, expressed thanks to Brooke Roman and her friends for prioritizing their time to help. “Volunteers supply the magic that keeps our program running smoothly. We love to have families volunteer together and involve their children in the opportunity to serve their peers. Our volunteers and donors who donate time and money allow us to coordinate a program which positively impacts so many (thousands!) throughout the school year across our service area. We could not do this without them!”
If you work for a company which offers VTO (Volunteer Time Off) please feel free to contact Weekend Survival Kits for assistance in learning about how you can use your VTO for a great cause!