It is with immense pleasure I introduce to you Second Helpings November 2021 Volunteers of the Month! Tom and Marcia are an important piece of the great puzzle we call Second Helpings. The two of them humbly serve as Meal Delivery volunteers. I have never seen them without big smiles and warm greetings. We appreciate all their service and dedication to the mission.

Together, they have served a combined 190 shifts, totaling more than 939 hours, over the last four years. We’re so grateful that Tom and Marcia have shared their time and talents to feed Indy.

How did you become involved with Second Helpings?

We went on a tour of Second Helpings when we were volunteers for the Indianapolis chapter of the American Red Cross. We were so impressed with the mission of Second Helpings to recue food that was going to waste and to offer culinary job training for unemployed and underemployed adults.

What types of things have you done since you began volunteering with us?

Both of us have volunteered at Corks and Forks. Tom serves as a Driver, and Marcia as a Driver Companion. Tom has also volunteered for other food rescue roles in the Hub.

What have you liked best about volunteering at Second Helpings?

Delivering meals to the service agencies and collaborating with the staff and other volunteers.

What are you most proud of accomplishing through your volunteer work here?

Being able to attend the culinary program’s graduation ceremonies. We felt such pride for the graduates’ accomplishments!

What do you do when you’re not volunteering at Second Helpings?

Tom (retired): Bicycle mechanic for Gear Up Cyclery in Plainfield. Bike riding in the country. Walking and hiking in our state parks and woodworking.

Marcia (retired): Sewing, organized and lead a group of seamstresses, “Thread of Joy” at Plainfield Christian Church since 2008 and in 2021, created a partnership with the Christian Appalachian Projects Family Advocacy Program in Paintsville, KY. Work part time at JC Penny in Plainfield, yoga, and walking.

Do you volunteer for any other organizations?

Tom: previously volunteered with the American Red Cross

Marica: Threads of Joy, Plainfield Christian Church, in the past American Red Cross and hospice volunteer.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

We both returned to college later in life.

Tom: I earned a BS degree from Purdue University in Mechanical Engineering Technology while working full time at Rolls-Royce and Eli Lilly and Company.

Marcia: After retiring from a 32-year career as a board-certified Histotechnologist, I returned to college and earned a BS degree from Indiana University. I wanted to learn new things and continue music and art.