06/12/2026
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Jadyn
I'd love to share a heartwarming story about one of our incredible volunteers, Jadyn.
Jadyn came to us a little over a year ago, just before her 14th birthday. Her mom, Alissa, called me hoping to get Jadyn involved with the food bank. At the time, Jadyn was being homeschooled after experiencing bullying at public school. Alissa told me that Jadyn was very shy and hoped volunteering might help bring her out of her shell.
From the moment she arrived, Jadyn was quiet, sweet, polite, and willing to help in any way she could. It didn't take long for her to become an invaluable part of our team.
One day, Jadyn shared something that has stayed with me ever since. She told me that when she woke up on the mornings, she was scheduled to volunteer, she felt like she had a purpose—and that it made her so happy to be here.
Not long after that, she came in with her first "Dad joke." From then on, it became a tradition. Before every distribution, I would ask Jadyn to share a joke with the team. It earned her the nickname "Jadyn the Jokester," and she quickly became one of our treasures.
As the months passed, we watched her confidence grow. By the time the new school year began, Jadyn felt ready to return to public school. She enrolled at Cavelero and even joined the drama club. She also became a lead volunteer at the food bank, helping direct the students who came every Thursday through the Food Bank Club to assist for an hour.
In May, she performed in Quest-Alot with the Cavelero Mid High School Drama Club, and she was unbelievable.
The transformation has been remarkable. The young lady who first came to us as a quiet, shy teenager who barely spoke has blossomed into a confident leader, a performer, and a beloved member of our food bank family. These days, it's hard to keep her quiet!
Jadyn's story is a beautiful reminder that volunteering gives young people so much more than community service hours. It gives them purpose. It helps them build confidence, develop leadership skills, form meaningful connections, and see firsthand how their hard work makes a difference in the lives of others. Jadyn has already volunteered 149 hours!
We are incredibly proud of Jadyn and grateful to have been part of her journey. She has certainly made our food bank a better place, and we can't wait to see all the amazing things her future holds.
Stories like Jadyn's remind us that we are about so much more than simply “feeding people”. We are building community, creating opportunities, fostering confidence, and helping people discover their potential….so thank you Jadyn for bringing your heart, your dedication, and your wonderful sense of humor to our food bank family!💜
