Recognizing an outstanding Senior program volunteer

Susan McCrystal has been volunteering at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services for over two years (since April 9, 2012). She started as a volunteer tutor in the Adult Education program, helping adults move toward their goal of passing the high-school equivalency test. Later, she became a volunteer in our Senior program, which matches volunteers with socially isolated senior citizens and provides them with home visitations and socialization. Ever since starting in the Senior program, Susan visits her senior, Ruth, twice a month bringing her groceries from SFBFS on one visit per month. During the winter, Susan brings Ruth her homemade soups and in the summer, roses from her garden. Susan brought a cucumber plant for Ruth and they both enjoyed watering it and watching it bear fruit. Susan has helped Ruth's family see Ruth's needs with letters and conversations.

Because of Susan’s generosity of spirit and abilities, she graciously took on the additional volunteer task of assisting with office work, data entry and much more. Susan has updated what she has coined, “administrivia”, administrative systems like data entry, and filing systems. She donated new file holders and has offered ideas for expediting and collating information. Her ongoing support and energy are very valuable to this program. To date, Susan has volunteered 275 hours for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Susan is an incredibly wonderful person who gives her all for the betterment of the community.

Submitted by Marie-Louise Nelson, Senior Program Manager at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.