Food For Thought

Food For Thought named Barbara our 2008 Volunteer of the Year.

Since 2002, Barbara has exemplified so many of the traits that make for a great volunteer: She is enthusiastic, she rolls up her sleeves to tackle most anything we ask, she always makes us smile, and she keeps us on our toes. But more importantly, she has demonstrated a commitment to help the clients in a variety of ways and to promote the agency as well.

She is an integral part of the Wednesday morning food bank clerk crew. She then spends the afternoons writing thank you notes to donors. Barbara promotes the food bank in the outside world as well. She is responsible for generous shelving donations from Agilent, encouraging her friends to volunteer, and finding donations that come in so very handy at times. She has been on the Calabash Planning Committee and regularly volunteers for special events. When one of our clients requested that someone from the food bank become the executor of his estate, Barbara agreed to take on this unique, and ultimately challenging, task. Barbara has a lot of heart.

Interview by Connie Beall, in the guise of Lois Lane.

Lois Lane: Who, what (or why) brought you to FFT to volunteer?
Barbara Doyle: My friend, Jeff Doutt, passed from AIDS. I went to the quilt memorial when his piece was included. It made me aware of the need for caring, devoted services in Sonoma County. I began supporting the food bank and Face to Face financially. Eventually, they both sent mailings and asked about volunteering, I checked the appropriate box—but only Stewart replied! The rest is all magical history.

LL: What is your favorite part of volunteering?
BD: ABSOLUTELY the interaction with the clients! Whether in person at the store front or over the phone taking food orders, our clients are the most genuine, real folks. No pretenses. I love it when clients who don’t know each other strike up a conversation at the counter. They support each other without even knowing it. I also love that everyone treats each person with such dignity and their confidentiality is held to the highest standards.

LL: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? Is that close to anything you have done?
BD: I always wanted to help people. Unfortunately, that is not what I did as a vocation. I have always been a marketing-jerk. Now that I’m retired, I find extreme value in volunteering.

LL: What’s the most unusual job (paid or volunteer) that you have held?
BD: I was among the first of the meter maids in San Francisco, working with the Police Department—their token hippie. I worked Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Street, State College, South of Market and Southern Station. It was a very fun time, during the 70’s, but I found myself losing my compassion. It’s easy to become hardened on the streets.

I also worked as a Development Assistant person at FFT for a year. It’s quite different seeing what goes on behind the scenes and how much effort it takes to keep the business portion moving up and to the right.

LL: What are some of your favorite comfort foods?
BD: Macaroni and Cheese! Never met a carb I didn’t like…

LL: What are you looking forward to doing this year?
BD: Continuing to volunteer. I love the Wednesday crew, we hold nothing sacred.

LL: What would you say to a new volunteer at FFT about the organization?
BD: OH BOY! Fun, irreverent, tawdry, fulfilling, beneficial. I always leave the ‘job’ feeling better than I did when I came in. One of the delightful things about volunteering is that you can work as much or as little as you want to. There is always a need for your skill - whether it’s answering the phone, doing food drives, delivering groceries, picking up donations, or helping with events.

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