Last week, four of my Lookout Santa Cruz colleagues and I stepped away from our desks for two hours to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. In those two hours, we packed more than 200 bags of groceries for local families – and left with an even greater appreciation for the people who make this work possible every day.
Our goal that morning was simple: help pack as many grocery bags as we could. Second Harvest aims to prepare around 600 bags in a single day to help serve families in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. While our group was busy filling bags, other volunteers were preparing and packaging fresh vegetables, bread and other groceries, working together to keep everything moving.
What stood out to me most was the pace and dedication of everyone in the room. Volunteers worked quickly and efficiently, knowing that every bag, box and package would eventually make its way to someone in our community who needs it. There was a real sense of purpose behind the work. Everyone had a job to do, and everyone was committed to doing it well.
It was also a reminder that giving back doesn’t always require a huge time commitment. Two hours may not sound like a lot, but together, our small group was able to help prepare more than 200 bags of groceries. Multiply that by the many volunteers who show up throughout the year, and the impact becomes significant.
For me, this experience was another meaningful opportunity to put into practice something I’ve been thinking about more and more: how can we, as a local company, continue to show up for the community we serve?
At Lookout Santa Cruz, we spend our days telling stories about this community, highlighting local organizations and businesses, and helping connect our readers with the people and places that make Santa Cruz County special. But there are also opportunities to step away from our desks and experience that community firsthand.
Volunteering at Second Harvest was one of those opportunities.
I was grateful to work alongside my colleagues and see firsthand the incredible amount of coordination, effort and care that goes into getting food from the food bank to local families. The work happening behind the scenes is admirable, and it takes an entire community of staff, volunteers, donors and partners to make it possible.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering with Second Harvest, I’d encourage you to give it a try. Whether you have a few hours to spare or are looking for a regular way to give back, it’s a tangible way to support local families and be part of something bigger than yourself.
I’m looking forward to continuing to find ways for our Lookout team to volunteer throughout Santa Cruz County. From packing groceries to cleaning up our beaches and supporting other local organizations, every opportunity to lend a hand is another opportunity to strengthen the community we’re lucky enough to call home.
Sometimes, making a difference starts with simply stepping away from your desk, rolling up your sleeves and asking, “How can I help?”
