Through the Eyes of a Volunteer: Joyce & Randy
A former teacher and former nurse – Joyce and Randy, are the dream team that have created an entire community network within the food bank. Their go-to delivery device, Randy’s Prius with a vibrant flame painted on the side, has left as much of an impression as their service to the community over the past two years.
Joyce first found her way to the food bank when her husband, James Matthews, passed away in April of 2020. The head teacher at Hawthorne Elementary, Matthews was passionate about the community he served. After his passing, Joyce was determined to give back to the very same community that had captured her husband’s heart. “When this opportunity came up during COVID, it was perfect. I asked Randy Roland if he’d be interested, he's been one of our best friends for like 40 years, and I thought it'd be more fun to have a partner, and he immediately jumped in on the idea.”
Nearly two years later, they’re still making their route, delivering to many of the same families whom they first delivered to in July of 2020. Joyce notes that continuing on the route for so long wouldn’t have been possible without the team of friends she and Randy have involved. “Randy and I are both retired, and so we do quite a bit of travel, but we have a deal worked out with the team of our friends so that they cover for us when we're gone. It's not reliant on just one person. We really have a team of people that are keeping our route going.”Joyce revealed that every member of their team is just as invested – regularly updates one another with tales from their route.
Joyce shared that one of the greatest pleasures has been seeing how their relationships with the families they deliver food to have grown. “We have one woman on our Saturday route, she's from El Salvador, and maybe every other week she'll come out like with a pupusa or empanada or something homemade, and so we exchange food. It's kind of a more reciprocal relationship.” Joyce’s stories don’t just stop at swapping food. She affectionately recalls the name of households’ pets, sharing stories about favorite musicians or worrying about where folks have moved to when they’re no longer listed on the routes. “Our relationships with our people have deepened, and there's just kind of this bond in a way with them, which is very satisfying, and part of what keeps us really committed. We don't want to leave our people, we want our people to know that kind delivery people are going to be there that they can count on.”
“That's one thing that I really like about Rainier Valley Food Bank is the quality of the food because, you know, I did kind of have a stereotype of food banks, and I think, historically, it was probably accurate. We are really proud to be able to distribute to people. Everybody should have good quality food. It should be one of the most fundamental rights that people have. It's all interconnected. So yeah, if we could do right by people regarding food, you know, it would have a ripple effect of more justice in other areas as well.”
Having started during the pandemic, Joyce remembers the challenges of serving as a delivery driver from 4205 and is relieved by the new opportunities provided by our new facility. “I love the new space, for one, I’m not risking my life every time I back into Rainier because of the traffic situation. I'm really happy about the better conditions for all the people that work at and volunteer at the food bank.”
When it comes to the benefits of volunteering, Joyce firmly believes that the deepened connection with our community is among the most valuable returns. “It's a reciprocal thing. People are really giving to us too in so many ways. You know, with their kindness and just feeling connected to such a diverse population of the city. It just makes the world a better place, you know? And it's enriching our lives to feel like we're contributing.”