Young volunteer keeps on serving
August 23, 2024
At 16, Ben Hulbert needed to do some community service to satisfy a high school graduation requirement. That was no easy task during the time of Covid, until he discovered Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank.
There he found a purpose, a turbo-charged self-confidence, new leadership skills and the joy of helping his community.
He liked it so well that four years and an estimated 400-plus volunteer hours later, as a college junior, Ben is still at it. He works food bank shifts when home from school and acts as unofficial mentor to teenage volunteers.
GHP FISH has a squad of high school volunteers that numbers 30 to 40 kids at any given time, says volunteer support manager Sigurros Welborn.
“We have two shifts a week, on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, where the kids basically run the whole operation,” she says. “They do shopping, shelving, taking donations – everything regular volunteers do.”
They have supervision – an insurance requirement – from an adult volunteer running client check-ins and usually from another in the food bank’s back storeroom.
One of those supervisors is Marilyn Behrens, who’s been volunteering at GHP FISH for 15 years. “Ben has the lightest touch; he leads by example and is respected by all the kids,” she says.
“Marilyn sometimes calls me ‘the third adult,’” says Ben.
Part of his service is to keep the food bank looking neat and inviting – a task called “Whole Foods” – to show respect to the clients. Ben also helps clients have a pleasant, even fun, shopping experience, and gives direction to the younger workers.
When clients visit the food bank, they walk the aisles with a volunteer, who can make or break the experience for folks hesitant or embarrassed to be there. “I usually try to interact with the client,” Ben says. “Ask how the day is going, get to know them.”
Ben says GHP FISH service has taught him leadership and communication.
Communication is vital, “especially if there’s a problem, taking the lead and asking people to take on this or that task,” he notes. He has also learned “social skills, like being observant, seeing what needs to be done and doing it.”
“With the [high school] students,” Ben says, “we all get along really well. I always talk to them and let them know if they have any problems, they can always come to me or come to Marilyn.”
While other teen volunteers have continued on after meeting their service requirement, Ben may be the longest serving.
“It’s the people,” he said, “both the volunteers and the clients. At least 95% of the time it’s a positive experience and it’s about making a difference in my community.”
Ben leaves Gig Harbor in September, heading back to college where he is preparing to become a math teacher. He’ll return over long college breaks. And he’s still a recruiter for the high school volunteer program at GHP FISH, which he says is a great way for teens to develop self-confidence, a work ethic and to learn from people of all sectors of the greater Gig Harbor community.
“Everyone is very welcoming,” he says. “We all work together as a team and will teach you everything you need to know. You’ll make a difference and it’s a very positive environment.”
Ed. Note: Please help us share our FISH Tales. If you’ve encountered a volunteer or supporter doing something above and beyond, or had an inspiring experience at the food bank, pass it on to our writing team: Sue John (suej@ghpfish.org), Chris Phillips (phillipscomm@comcast.net) or Steve Casey (stevenjcasey@me.com). Thanks!
The Whole Foods” task of keeping the shopping shelves tidy and inviting is one more way that Ben and the other volunteers show their respect for clients.