Opening Your Eyes to the Needs of Others

Witnessing the extreme needs of poverty was an eye-opener for volunteer Bill Pollack.

Working at the Community Center of Caring Food Pantry in Auburn, Bill helps load trucks, cars, and — at times — even wagons, with food and supplies each week. It was the old Radio Flyer wagon that really made him see his volunteer work differently.

“You don’t realize how much need there is,” says Bill. “It can almost bring you to tears.”

Walking through all types of weather (sometimes two or three miles) with a child’s wagon to carry home your supplies is something he wouldn't let stand. Now, if he knows some of the clients can’t make it to the pantry, he and his wife Judy will drive the supplies directly to their homes.

It was Judy who inspired Bill to get involved to begin with. 

“I thought it’d be fun,” she says, about shopping for needed items and keeping the pantry stocked. “I like shopping, and I thought Bill could help lift much better than I could.”

It was Judy’s upbringing that helped inspire her to first reach out to help. “I was raised to help others,” she says. “When you see there are some folks who have no one else who can help them, you really see that you’re the one who’s expected to help.”

After volunteering at the pantry for the past six years, they both feel like they are the ones on the receiving end of their time there. 

“When you’ve been fortunate through your life, you realize you need to give back and help others,” says Bill.