Featured Volunteers: Jack Woods and Gary Gouin

Drivers of Mobile Food Express pull double duty. They deliver food to the homebound and brighten the lives of lonely people when they go calling.

The challenge is finding enough volunteers. “We’ve got half as many drivers as we need,” said Justin Keefe, Community Resource Coordinator for SCCAA.

Jack Woods of Mount Vernon is one of the volunteer drivers of the 14-foot van that visits people who can’t pick food up themselves from one of the 13 food banks that serve the hungry in Skagit County. When Woods retired from his career as an electrician, his wife suggested volunteer work. He’s really enjoying the opportunity.

“I feel really good getting out to the houses of the elderly…I really feel that I’m helping them and it’s nice to visit with lonely people,” Woods said. If the householder can’t come out to the van, Woods takes the food inside to the kitchen.

He and other drivers never go alone. There’s always an assistant riding along. Gary Gouin of Burlington has just joined the team. A retired welder fabricator, he rode with Woods recently as he learned the routine. “I like meeting people and just helping out,” Gouin said.

For some shut-ins, the Mobile Food Express team may be the only people they see in a week. Making the social connection is as important as delivering the food, Keefe said. Team members often find out the client requires additional services, such as access to the Community Voice Mail, energy assistance or food stamps.

Volunteers typically work one half day per week, but are welcome to donate more time. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, visit http://www.1800volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do or contact Susan Rowe at 360-416-7585.