For the past four years, MaryAnn O’Neil has brought compassion, energy and heart to Lunch Break in many different ways. As she prepares for her move to Sarasota later this year, MaryAnn reflects on the experiences, relationships and lessons that have made volunteering such an important part of her life.
MaryAnn’s path to volunteering began after a lifetime dedicated to raising her five children, running her own business and traveling internationally to train executives before eventually teaching at a university in Florida. When she retired and moved to Red Bank to be closer to family, she knew she wanted to find something meaningful to fill this new chapter of her life.
“Years before moving here, my son and I would volunteer at Lunch Break when I came to visit,” she shared. “So when I moved here permanently, it seemed like the logical place for me to start.”
Her first volunteer role focused on helping women find employment and regain stability in their lives. While the work was meaningful, MaryAnn quickly realized it challenged her in unexpected ways.
“I found myself with expectations that were too high and unrealistic,” she said. “I realized I didn’t fully understand what it was like to have to start over again.”
That experience led her to another opportunity through Clara’s Closet at Brookdale Community College, where she worked closely with students, helping provide clothing and support as they prepared for interviews and new opportunities.
“I loved lugging clothing donations from my home, my neighbors and my friends and displaying them for the students,” she said. “I loved getting to know the students, talking about their classes and helping them prepare for interviews. That part came naturally to me because I had done similar work with my university students in Tampa.”
Still, MaryAnn eventually found what she calls her “favorite volunteer job ever” – serving guests in Lunch Break’s Community Kitchen on Friday nights.
“I feel my job on Friday nights is to serve those in need and hopefully make it a pleasant, fun ‘night out,’” she said. “I’ve truly found a place for myself in the kitchen.”
Over time, she formed strong connections with many of the guests she served each week.
“I’ve gotten to know our guests, and as a result, I work hard to make sure their needs are met,” she shared. “They are constantly in my prayers.”
The experience has had a profound impact on her life.
“Sometimes when I drive home on a Friday night, I smile and sing all the way home because I’m so happy with how the evening went,” MaryAnn said. “Sometimes I cry all the way home because one of my regulars is no longer with us or someone has shared a difficult struggle and I have no way of easing their pain beyond that one evening.”
For MaryAnn, volunteering has become more than service, it has become a way of life.
“My favorite part about volunteering is that it forces me to get out of myself and focus on others,” she said. “When guests share their stories, whether it’s about better times or current struggles, I listen. Sometimes they mention needing books to read or a bag to carry their belongings, and then I start asking friends, neighbors and my church community to help.”
She credits Lunch Break with inspiring her to continue giving back wherever she goes next.
“Lunch Break has taught me to do more, because I can, because I have time and because I have energy that can be put to very good use,” she said. “Volunteering is now a major part of my life, and I plan on expanding that in my next move.”
While MaryAnn will certainly be missed at Lunch Break, her kindness, dedication and joyful spirit will leave a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to have worked alongside her.
