Community Conversation

Creating Meaningful Discussions with the Table Community

Meet Tommy, a regular volunteer at Clay Street Table! Tommy first heard about the Table after seeing an advertisement at Lincoln High School for volunteering opportunities, and he began helping out during the summer before his sophomore year. What started as a once-a-week endeavor quickly became a three-times-a-week commitment. By the end of the summer, Tommy was sharing sack lunches on Mondays and Tuesdays, and joining our team of Pantry volunteers on Thursdays.

Speaking about his experience, Tommy said: “In the summer, when we did the in-person serving, we got to actually see the people who we were making the food for and that was nice. And sometimes, I had a conversation with somebody. I probably wouldn't have done that without volunteering.”

Ever since the start of this school year, Tommy has been part of Lincoln’s FlockFeast service club that meets every Tuesday after school. The club prepares sacks for the week's lunches in the park. They also bag Pantry groceries for families of Lincoln students in need as well as homebound residents who can't be at our in-person Pantry. Starting last week, after a break at the end of the pandemic, the club added bagging groceries again for members of our Latinx community served by partner Familias en Acción.

Tommy has been a welcoming face at the Table ever since he began volunteering. He says he's always been a hard worker who puts his all into everything he does. He also sees the importance of talking with his peers and having conversations with other volunteers. He plans to be part of the leadership of FlockFeast when the current Co-Presidents, seniors Gwyneth and Cherry, graduate in the spring.

Tommy balances his volunteer hours at FlockFeast club with also being part of Lincoln’s Constitution Team, which just placed first in the state tournament.

To anyone thinking about volunteering at Clay Street Table, Tommy's advise is simple. “Try it. If it's not your thing, then you don’t have to keep doing it. But it might be really fun. And if it’s good, then you should keep doing it.” 

Thank you to Tommy for being a positive influence on our Table community, and thanks to all our volunteers who share the dedication and responsibility that comes with true service.

Thanks Everyone,

Audrey

Newsletter Editor

and Lincoln sophomore

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