Lake City-based Hunger Intervention Program (HIP) works to bring food to local families and now seniors through its Healthy HIP Packs Program, meal programs, and by advocating for our hungry neighbors.

On Mondays, there is usually a frenzy to get the room set up at the Lake City Community Center by the time our Senior Meal guests arrive, but you wouldn’t know that by glancing around the dining room at noon. That’s all thanks to our volunteers! At 11am, Roger Curran and Tracy Benda have arrived to make sure that the dining room set-up looked warm and inviting. Before heading out at the end of the day, they served food to the guests, kept the coffee cups full, and worked the dishwasher.

Roger smiles warmly for the camera and our guests.

Roger and Tracy, his counselor, came to us from Work Opportunities, a non-profit organization that provides vocational services to persons with disabilities. Tracy has been helping Roger develop work skills. In turn, Roger has found something that he loves to be part of. “He seems to come alive when he is taking a dish to someone.” Tracy remarked. “I have seen Roger grow since he has started volunteering, especially with serving the  meal. I think he is starting to connect with the guests.”

Tracy has hopes that Roger’s skills will continue to grow at the Senior Meal. Perhaps he will become more independent with washing dishes and maybe even one day Roger will be employed at a restaurant with the skills and confidence he gained from being part of the Senior Meal community.

For more information on volunteer opportunities with HIP, visit our volunteering page.