Any given Tuesday or Thursday, you’ll find volunteer Frank Bohman, of Pine City, hard at work — with a smile for everyone — in our warehouse.
“Like clockwork,” says Volunteer Coordinator Jen Harris, “Frank arrives every Tuesday and Thursday for morning volunteer shifts.” Frank has volunteered at the Food Bank for four years. In 2018, he logged 200 hours sorting and repacking food.
2019 VIVA winners from left: Barb Powell, Bill Powell, Ron Rehner Jr. and
Michelle Giacchino on behalf of Ron Rehner Sr. (deceased), Julie Monahan
(First Heritage Federal Credit Union), McKenna Kagle, Lorri Thornton (Repsol), Natasha R. Thompson (Food Bank President & CEO), Frank Bohman, Barb Richardson, Mel Winton, Jennifer Harris (Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator).
Frank is among the 4,000 volunteers who donated more than 43,000 hours of their time to the Food Bank in 2018 — the equivalent of 24 full time positions. The Food Bank relies on our vast volunteer network to support warehouse operations, food distributions and special events. We simply could not achieve our distribution of 9.5 million meals without these volunteers who play a critical role in our work.
“I volunteer at the Food Bank because I like knowing where my efforts are going. It’s a good fit for me,” Frank says. “I like meeting the people; so many good people volunteer here. And I like the BackPack Program, which is essential unfortunately. I love the mission to feed people who don’t always have any choices.”
Frank received top honors as our Volunteer of the Year at our annual Very Important Volunteer Awards (VIVAs) event during National Volunteer Month in April. He earned a special reserved parking space at our facility, with signage donated by AARP Chapter 276 in memory of longtime volunteers Ron and Nancy Rehner.
Jen says Frank has become an integral part of our volunteer crew. “He is lighthearted and fun to talk to. He is reliable, easy going and has a knack for getting the job done.”
Thank you to Frank and all our very important volunteers!