You know that friend who is always there for you; always willing to do whatever is needed to help? That’s the kind of friend that Susan Albertson is to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. She’s a committed, hard-working, and passionate member of our volunteer team and a faithful donor. We asked Susan a few questions so that you can enjoy getting to know her too!
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How did you first get connected with the food bank? When?
I had always considered volunteering at the food bank but never got around to it until the fall of 2019 when I started driving my son’s carpool to Clark Elementary and passed the building daily. I thought, “This is perfect! I can do drop-off and see if they could use my help.” Voila, they could, and the fun began!
What compelled you to get involved?
I love living in Issaquah and feel the city has a lot going for it. I also feel it’s important to give back to my community and consider myself lucky to have the time to do so. Being able to support a great cause in my own community is what compelled me to get involved.
Describe your role and how it has changed over time.
I’ve had the pleasure of doing lots of different things at the food bank. Volunteering through COVID — and all the changes that have been necessary to remain open and safe — has given me lots of variety, which I have loved. I’ve sorted Grocery Rescue items, helped unload and crate Food Lifeline deliveries, sorted and helped with food and clothing drives at the warehouse, worked Gift Barn and seasonal clothing bank events, worked during shopping hours, helped with Turkey Trot, done pick-ups for the Sammamish Issaquah Food Project, and more. I have to say, I enjoy it all… well, everything except the double bagging!
What has been the most rewarding part for you? What gives you the fuel you need to keep it up?
The people involved with the Food & Clothing Bank are what makes it most rewarding. I have the utmost respect for the staff and have gotten to work with an amazing group of volunteers. I love that everyone works so hard and comes together to make so much happen each and every day. We are all civic-minded and want to do everything possible to meet the growing needs of our community. To be a part of that success is energizing to me. Also, to meet and get to know the people we serve, witness their appreciation for all that we do — it makes the hard work incredibly worthwhile. The Food Bank has evolved so often during COVID, but what hasn’t changed at all is the drive to go above and beyond to help any and all community members in need, in a safe and welcoming environment.
What has been the most challenging part for you?
Witnessing the stress COVID has placed on the community, how food insecurity has grown so much in our community during these past few years. And, how hard the staff at the food bank have had to work — during such challenging and uncertain times — all to keep things going, constantly putting their own lives on hold to revamp and recreate the space and processes to keep things running and safe for all. Everyone has worked so incredibly hard.
What have you learned since being involved?
How much need there is in our community, but also how much compassion there is. When COVID first hit, we were inundated with donations — daily! It was incredible. Deliveries were made numerous times a day, and we had literally rooms full of donations. We would open and sort like crazy and they just kept coming! The community really came together to support the Food & Clothing Bank, and it was awesome to see. But now, we have more clients than ever before while our donations have slowed as have the emergency COVID resources at the State and Federal level, so our shelves aren’t as full as they once were. The need just grows and grows.
I also learned how much is involved in making it all happen — from home deliveries to bi-weekly shopping days, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make everything run effectively. I would have never guessed how many hours it takes to prepare/process all the food that comes and goes from the facility each day!
What does it mean to you to be part of this effort?
I take a lot of pride in the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. I feel like I get so much out of my time invested there — it’s incredibly rewarding! It’s also a workout and challenging in various ways. It’s really broadened my understanding of the need that exists in our own city and how the various services are working to meet those needs.
What other organizations do you volunteer for?
I’ve helped out as needed at my boys’ schools — but more behind the scenes, per their requests. :-)
What do you do for fun?
I love family time, as well as spending time on the Oregon coast, camping, watching my kids’ sporting events, walking my dog, reading, and cooking.