We are excited to introduce our Volunteer of the Month for November 2022, Matt Hook!
Matt has been a very reliable, longtime Food Rescue volunteer. Matt is the epitome of what a Second Helpings volunteer embodies. He is consistent, hardworking, outgoing, and an all-around great steward for the organization. Our staff all enjoy sharing a truck with Matt – he’s a great conversationalist and likes to get a good workout in during his shifts. I’ve leaned on Matt quite a bit over the last year to help cover staff shifts as a Food Rescue Driver and he has risen to the need over and over again. We’re very grateful for all that Matt contributes to Second Helpings and continues to do as we move forward. On top of all the Food Rescue support Matt also is a group lead in our Hunger Relief Kitchen when he brings in a crew from his church St. Marks.
Thank you for all you do Matt! We’re blessed to have such great volunteers like you. Learn more about Matt in his own words below.
How did you become involved in Second Helpings?
Quite a while back — probably 10 years ago or so – my wife and I were looking for a charity to support and someone told us about Second Helpings. The fact that Second Helping mission not only helped feed people who are food insecure but also saved food from landfills and provided training for people in the community made it a no brainer to support financially. At the time we were busy raising our four children; but immediately upon retiring, I reached out to learn how to volunteer and have been enjoying the chance to help support the mission ever since.
What types of things have you done since you began volunteering with us?
I have mostly done food rescue but also have volunteered with groups that have chopped food or made sandwiches. Additionally, this year for the first time I volunteered at the Tonic Ball and highly recommend it for anyone who likes music and having a great time.
What have you liked best about volunteering with us?
With real estate it is location, location, location; with Second Helpings it is the amazing people, people, people.
What are you most proud of accomplishing through your volunteer work here?
I am most proud of getting our United Methodist Men’s group involved and now we have groups coming down a few times a year to help out.
What do you do when you’re not volunteering with us?
I am on the Board of Directors of The Villages of Indiana (not the retirement community in FL) which is very focused on children and families, including foster care, adoption and child abuse prevention and also volunteer at Outreach which serves homeless youth and young adults.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a huge believer that green energy can make a lot of economic sense over the long term as witnessed by my geothermal furnace installed 15 years ago, my hybrid and electric cars, and the solar farm a business partner and I built in northern Indiana which sells its electricity to the utility company.