Meet Cathy, a dedicated volunteer who joined our team last July in the midst of the pandemic. Though she started with our HIP Packs program, she soon transitioned into the kitchen and has been there regularly ever since!
Cathy has lived in Lake City for some time and has seen how housing and food insecurity has affected her community. Joining HIP’s volunteer team has allowed her to give back to her community in an area that she’s passionate about.
Cathy enjoys the community that you can find at HIP. “I love the diversity here,” she says, referring specifically to the diversity in ages in the kitchen. “Everyone here has just been awesome. I love that it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
She also enjoys seeing the fresh and nutritious food that comes out of the kitchen everyday. “I am so impressed with the program here, how you utilize seasonal foods, and that nothing goes to waste…it’s just so nice to see all the items that are donated and then the way they get turned around into such great meals. I had no idea what to expect coming in and it has just far exceeded my expectations.”
When asked about a memorable food experience in the HIP kitchen, Cathy says that making baklava for the Shelter Meals Program’s Lebanese Cuisine night was a fun challenge. “I thought that would just be the hardest thing in the world to make but it wasn’t that bad, and it turned out so well!”
Outside of HIP, Cathy keeps very busy. For many years she worked as a video editor, and more recently assisted with afterschool care at Cedar Park Elementary. She is also an avid gardener, hiker, and biker.
A HUGE thank you to Cathy for always bringing her positive energy and (masked) smile to the kitchen each week!
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