Positive Impacts of Volunteering on Health and Wellness
By: Chana Laila
At Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts (RTWM), we have an incredible community of dedicated and hard-working volunteers that make a real difference in addressing food insecurity in our community. In our first year of operation as an independent nonprofit entity, our network of 350 volunteers made it possible to distribute over 830,000+ pounds of healthy food to those in need through our four programs – Rescue, Purchase, Garden, and Grow. This is an extraordinary accomplishment!
In addition to the positive impact of volunteer work in addressing hunger and reducing the waste of food resources in Western MA, the benefits of volunteering extend far beyond the immediate impact on those served. Volunteering with RTWM offers fulfilling ways to stay active, engaged and connected to a diverse community of people committed to alleviating hunger and building more secure local food networks in our region. The health benefits of volunteering can include stronger social connections, enhanced physical and mental health, and a deeper sense of purpose. By giving their time and talents, volunteers at RTWM not only make a difference in the lives of others, but also enrich their own lives in meaningful ways.
One of the most significant benefits of volunteering is the opportunity to build new social connections with a diverse group of people, which was particularly evident in our gleaning program last year. In addition to harvesting 28,024 pounds of food for those in need, gleaning volunteers reported in an end-of-year survey that they expanded social networks in unexpected ways, and formed meaningful relationships with fellow volunteers, staff, local farmers, and community members. These connections can provide a welcome break from the stresses of everyday life, increase and diversify support networks, reduce feelings of loneliness, and create a greater sense of community and belonging. In addition to deepening social connections, learning about local food systems, including how and where our food is produced, was an important part of the gleaning experience.
Mike Hannigan, an RTWM gleaning volunteer extraordinaire has shared that, “Gleaning has an incredible impact on my overall mental and physical health. The sense of connection to where our food is produced and the camaraderie with fellow gleaners always help ground me. Being able to have a tangible impact on improving the food system is like medicine for the soul. It gets me moving and helps me get some exercise, which is an added bonus.”
Sarah Bluestein, RTWM’s community gleaning coordinator, was brought on in early 2023 and has been an integral part of the success and growth of our gleaning program. Sarah shared insightful reflections on the past gleaning season, stating that, “Gleaners can see the impacts on their personal lives as they share vegetables, and that helps them to visualize the larger network we are building together as they load thousands of pounds of carrots into the RTWM van or marvel at the scale of the crops donated to us by our farmer partners. Being able to share produce generously with friends and neighbors strengthens connections as well, and many gleaners told me that being able to talk about the program and share the gleaning process with family and friends provided another level of connection for them. People connected at the gleans through conversations about shared interests and values, sometimes even joining other volunteer opportunities with their new gleaning friends! I have so much gratitude that people could have a meaningful experience if they attended only one glean, and that those who came back all season co-created this unexpected and special community.”
In addition to fostering social networks, our volunteers know that their work makes a big impact in the community, and this sense of greater purpose can have a powerful effect on overall health and wellbeing. Studies over the past two decades have shown that volunteering is associated with numerous positive health indicators, and that volunteers have overall higher life satisfaction and greater happiness compared to non-volunteers. Purposeful engagement in volunteer work as we age is associated with better self-reported health, fewer functional limitations, and a lower risk of falls and frailty. Additionally, volunteers tend to have higher levels of good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and report less stress compared to non-volunteers. Mental health benefits are equally notable. Volunteers show lower levels of depression and anxiety, greater self-esteem, and better cognitive health compared to non-volunteers. In our uncertain world, the sense of connection and purpose derived from helping others can foster a more positive outlook on life.
Jill Stewart, who is a highly active volunteer with RTWM as both a dispatcher and as a gleaner shared that, “Volunteering at Rachel’s Table has profoundly enriched my life by allowing me to make a tangible difference in the fight against hunger. The experience has deepened my connection learning about the needs in my local and surrounding communities, showing me the power of small acts of kindness. Through food rescue, I’ve found a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that my efforts help those in need.”
Marla Adelsberger, a former board member and current volunteer with both our garden and gleaning programs, has been involved at all levels of volunteering at Rachels Table. “Whether I am growing vegetables with eager young children or gleaning with a group, collecting food donations, or recruiting additional volunteers, I smile because I know that what I am doing matters. I feel valued as a volunteer and I know that working together, we are making an impact. What could be better than that?”
Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our work and mission to alleviate hunger and reduce the waste of our food resources in Western MA and make it possible to nourish so many while building a diverse and interconnected community. Whether lifting and transporting countless boxes of food, gleaning fresh produce out in the fields, organizing a food drive, or tending a garden, our volunteers stay engaged and active in the community in meaningful ways. We encourage everyone to join us in volunteering with RTWM and to become a part of building an incredible network of people who put the work in to make our community a better place for all.
RTWM celebrates our incredible volunteer community each year at our Pamela S. Finer Volunteer Appreciation Event coming up on September 24th, where we acknowledge and celebrate all that our volunteers do to make our work possible. We hope you can join us – more info coming soon!
Sources cited:
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