Volunteer Finds Community and Meaningful Routine at the Kindness Cafe

A couple of days each week, guests at our Kindness Café can expect to see dedicated volunteer Emily helping serve food or working behind the scenes to help prepare dishes. While she had been interested in getting involved for a while, Emily shares how an unexpected job loss brought her in to volunteer and describes what keeps her coming back.  

Senior Communications Manager Gypsy Walukones reached out to Emily to learn more about her experience. Responses have been edited for clarity.

How did you get to know about Ballard Food Bank? What drove you to volunteer here? 

My husband and I moved to Ballard last summer. We love exploring the Ballard neighborhood, restaurants, and breweries. We would frequently walk past the food bank, and it was always something I was interested in getting involved with as a way to give back to our new community. 

After being laid off from my job in November, I abruptly lost all structure in my days. I became involved with the food bank as a way to stay busy while I searched for my next job opportunity. What I didn’t know was how much this new involvement would provide me with everything that had been stripped away from day-to-day after being laid off. Volunteering at the food bank helped create a consistent weekly routine, provided me with positive social interactions with staff, volunteers, and guests, as well as reminded me of my passion for social justice and inclusion. 

What are some things that surprised you about what happens at the food bank?

The amazing food in the Kindness Cafe! I am blown away with the variety of food that the Kindness Cafe team whips up every day. As a volunteer in the cafe, I know the time and thought that goes into creating a menu that meets the different dietary needs for all. We aren’t only providing people with a warm and nutritious meal, but also a welcoming environment to sit down in the cafe to connect with the community. 

Can you tell me about any memorable interactions or connections you’ve had with café guests during your time volunteering?

Each day I am grateful for the guests I get that I interact with that come into the Kindness Cafe. While I love cooking, and preparing the food that we serve in the cafe, my true happy place is when I am the “front of house” interacting with our visitors. Whether it’s welcoming returning guests, describing a new menu item someone hasn’t tried before, or explaining our menu to first time guests, is what drives me to volunteer at the food bank.

One stand-out moment is when I recognized a regular and made sure to have his coffee order (2 sugars and 3 creams) and salad order (no dressing) ready for him by the time he got to the front of the cafe line. I will always remember our short, yet memorable conversation. He mentioned how special he felt that someone took the time to remember him and his order. You could tell that made his day.

This is what fills my cup each time I come into the food bank to volunteer. It’s not just getting people through the line quickly and handing them their food. It’s the small conversations and the coffee orders that we pay attention to that creates an environment that guests feel welcomed in. 

Do you have plans to stay involved in the longer term when your schedule changes? How do you picture that looking?

I have given this question a lot of thought through my 7 months volunteering at the food bank. I have created a consistent routine that is now part of my new weekly schedule. When I transition into my next job opportunity, I am confident I will be able to work with my employer about creating a work schedule that would allow me to continue my involvement at the food bank.