Volunteer Spotlight: Oliver P.

It is our extreme privilege to announce Oliver P. as our September Volunteer Spotlight! Born and raised in Seattle. WA, Oliver brings unbridled enthusiasm and warmth to program every week. He is a recent high school graduate, and plays six instruments, including the alto sax and ukulele. Oliver P. is an unmovable mountain of warmth and commitment.

When did you start at Teen Feed? What was your first impression?

I started in March of 2013 during my last year of high school. We had a senior project, and I needed some community service hours.   My mom and I were looking for opportunities on the internet, and Teen Feed popped out at me. So, I went to the orientation and really connected with everything that Jason, the meal programs coordinator, said.  Teen Feed was a good fit for me.

Do you remember your first night?

I worked as an ally in the basic needs supply closet with two other volunteers named Noah and Max.  We had a great time bonding with one another.  The experience convinced me that Teen Feed was where I wanted to be.

What did you eat today?

I haven’t yet. I had a bottle of water, if that counts.  Oh, and a mocha.

How has volunteering at Teen Feed changed or affected other parts of your life?

Volunteering at Teen Feed has made me appreciate what I have and changed my perspective on life. It has given me an awareness of homelessness that I didn’t have before and has also taught me how to get along with people.  It’s helped me mature, I guess.  It’s been a great experience.

What advice would you give to new volunteers?

The biggest thing I would recommend is to be open-minded about everything, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with homelessness.   Get to know guests and other volunteers and treat them like family.

Is there anything else you haven’t shared, that you would like to, about your experience?

If you want to have a unique volunteer experience that is unlike anything else, you should volunteer at Teen Feed. You will get so much more out of volunteering for those two hours than you would get with any other volunteer opportunity.  As a Teen Feed volunteer, you play an integral part in strengthening your community.