May Gauvin first immigrated to the United States when she was 13 years old. For the first five years in the states, her family relied on food stamps and government subsidies to make ends meet.
“My mom was sick and in and out of the hospital, and my dad was taking care of her, so we didn’t have a lot of income. I wish there had been a food bank we could access,” May shared. “IFCB does so much for people—not just nutrition, but other resources too. We are so lucky to have this resource in Issaquah, where people can access support with low barriers. Helping our communities be stronger is the ultimate goal.”
Today, May is a core volunteer at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, sharing her time and expertise in many ways—from packing produce bags for Groceries to Go and assembling Power Packs, to serving on the Facility Expansion Steering Committee. She brings a bright spirit and strong attention to detail to everything she does.
May first connected with the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank while serving on the Issaquah Schools Foundation Board. After hearing another Board member praise the organization, she thought, “This is an organization I would love to be part of someday.” In 2021, May began volunteering with our food bank. The variety of volunteer opportunities and the team’s shared spirit drew her in, and she soon found herself working across several programs.
“Here at IFCB, it is the teamwork and creativity we bring to solving problems that make the work so powerful. It takes people to make a mission come alive, and this organization is a great example of that,” May shared.
In fall 2023, May joined the Facility Expansion Steering Committee focused on identifying the needs of clients, volunteers, and staff for our future building. The Committee met with stakeholders across the community to better understand what matters most as we plan for expansion.
“You want volunteers to be excited, the community to support you, and staff and clients to feel they have a say in the future,” May said. “We all want the same thing—a safe environment, a welcoming space for clients, and room for growth and sustainability.”
Through her committee work, May got to know some residents of the Hutchinson House, a local subsidized housing community. Now, when she volunteers in the market, she often sees people she met through that work. One resident made a lasting impression. “When I see her smile, it brings me so much joy,” May recalled. “She always holds my hands and says, ‘I am so happy today because you are here.’ It is so special." One time May offered to help her bring the cart back but she refused and said, ‘No, this is the least I can do to say thank you.’ "You get a lot back from giving your time, and that’s what I think about when I think about the food bank.”
May sees the food bank as a reminder that anyone can need assistance. “Everyone needs help at some point in their lives, in different forms,” she shared. “There is a story behind every person who needs our help.”
May is a cherished member of our community, and her work continues to touch the lives of many neighbors. She encourages others to get involved however they can. “You can give your time, your talent, and/or donate,” May offered. “If you are looking for a place to connect with people and give your time, there are so many ways to volunteer. We are also always looking for special skills, so if you have something to offer, we would love to hear from you!”