VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT [ click here for more about volunteering ]
Faith in Action -- School/Student Commitment Make the Difference
Matt Pannkuk and Andy Branch are high school seniors at Westminster Christian Academy. They have all of the typical responsibilities of someone their age – school, homework, thinking about college. But, in addition, Matt and Andy volunteer two hours a week at the Foodbank’s Repackaging Center, helping to make a difference. According to Sara Drexler, the leadership development and community service coordinator at Westminster Christian, the 140 seniors volunteer someplace each Thursday for two hours as part of their Faith in Action program. Each student is required to put in 50 community service hours during their senior year. The seniors select their volunteer jobs in April of their junior year and are greatly influenced each year by the seniors before them -- last year two other boys had a great experience at the Foodbank. Foodbank Repackaging Coordinator Brett Moller loves having Matt and Andy around. "They do whatever needs to be done – sorting in the salvage room or building food boxes for seniors," said Brett. "We are thrilled to have them here." And, Matt and Andy love their work. "Some kids really want people contact for service, but there are always a few who simply want to do hard work, and Matt and Andy find the Foodbank very satisfying," said Drexler.