Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our operations. Their enthusiasm and dedication bring a special energy to our daily activities. These amazing individuals take on a variety of roles, from preparing delicious meals to spending quality time with our seniors, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and cared for.
Whether the volunteers are cooking, distributing meals, or engaging in personal conversations, their contributions are essential to the smooth running of our programs. But they do more than just fill roles; they create a warm, supportive environment that truly enhances the lives of our senior community.
Meet Tommy Derrick: A Different Kind of Volunteer
Among our distinguished volunteers is Tommy Derrick, whose involvement in food gleaning makes a huge difference at La Comida. Unlike many volunteers who help out in the kitchen or serve meals, Tommy focuses on rescuing perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste. He carefully picks out surplus items from local grocery stores—things that are still great to eat but might be nearing their sell-by dates or have minor imperfections.
Tommy is driven by a deep care for the community and a strong belief in reducing food waste. As he puts it, “Seeing good food go to waste while knowing it could bring joy and nourishment to someone—it just didn’t sit right with me.” Tommy has been dedicated to La Comida for over twenty years, inspired by the direct impact his work has on improving the lives of seniors in Palo Alto. “Every item I save and deliver,” he says, “represents a small victory against waste and a significant win for our community.”
Tommy’s Contribution: A Day of Gleaning
Tommy typically follows a strategic route through several local stores to gather fruits, vegetables, and other essential food items that would otherwise be discarded. His proactive efforts help La Comida meet its nutritional goals and add variety to the meals we offer our seniors.
But Tommy’s impact goes beyond just collecting food—he brings sustainability and efficiency to our operations. Every delivery Tommy makes enriches our meals with added flavor and nutrition, which our seniors and staff deeply appreciate.
Impact at La Comida and Beyond
A particularly striking example of Tommy Derrick’s significant contribution occurred last November when he delivered twenty-four cases of yams to La Comida. Our kitchen staff eagerly embraced the challenge, incorporating these yams into the menu in creative ways: baked, candied, and mashed.
Mary Ruth Batchelder, one of our senior chefs, remarked, “Tommy’s deliveries always bring a delightful element of surprise that pushes our culinary creativity. It’s a puzzle that, when solved, benefits everyone at our table.”
The seniors thoroughly enjoyed the variety of yam dishes, deeply appreciating the thought and effort behind each meal. Their smiles and words of gratitude truly reflect the significant impact of Tommy’s dedication.
Inspiring Others to Volunteer
Tommy’s commitment profoundly demonstrates the influence one individual can have on a community’s collective well-being. His role at La Comida shows that contributions can vary widely, from direct meal service to supportive activities like food gleaning.
If you’re inspired by Tommy’s story, we encourage you to consider how you might use your unique abilities to support others.
Join the La Comida Family
At La Comida, our volunteers are the heart of our mission, making a real difference in the lives of seniors throughout Palo Alto. People like Tommy Derrick, with their acts of kindness, have a profound impact on our community every day. If Tommy’s story inspires you, we invite you to join us. Whether you can spare a few hours or commit to something more substantial, your efforts will truly make a meaningful difference.
Let’s deepen our commitment to serving and supporting our seniors. Every meal we prepare and every hour we volunteer helps build a more compassionate and connected community.
Volunteer Now!