For Sue Binns, volunteering at Lunch Break began through a friendship with the organization’s Development Director. What started as a way to give back quickly became a meaningful part of her life. Within three weeks, she was volunteering nearly five days a week.
Five years later, Sue continues to support pantry check-in and intake, development activities, special events and referrals to community resources. Through her work, she has heard countless stories from people facing food insecurity, financial hardship and housing instability. 
“I’m literally a different person now since I started volunteering here,” Sue shared. “I’ve had a complete perspective change on the world… and just so much more grateful for your life, but also just how aware of how many problems there are.”
One experience that especially impacted her was seeing older adults who had worked their entire lives and still struggled to afford basic necessities.
“It amazed me how many senior citizens are here and in need… and they literally can’t afford to live.”
Sue has also witnessed how quickly a financial setback can lead to crisis.
“It’s grown considerably… within a week of losing their income, they’re here. They don’t have any kind of cushion.” 
She has seen people struggle to navigate assistance programs, often without someone to advocate for them. She has also encountered families, young adults and older adults experiencing homelessness and living in their cars.
For Sue, Lunch Break is about more than providing food. It is about connecting people to resources, offering guidance and helping rebuild the support systems that many people no longer have.
“People don’t even know what they can have or not have, or how to get help… so people are by themselves, and they’re really lonely and they’re hungry.”
After five years of service, Sue’s perspective has changed, but so has her understanding of what it means to be part of a community.
Her story reminds us that sometimes the greatest impact comes from simply showing up, listening and being there for our neighbors.
*Special thanks to Fulfill for helping capture Sue’s story
