Tom Henderson: 10,000 Hours and Counting

Tom Henderson retired from teaching in 2016 and was looking for a way to stay active and make a difference. A friend suggested he volunteer at Harvest Hope Food Bank. Nearly a decade later, Tom has logged over 10,000 volunteer hours.

A Typical Week

Tom volunteers three days a week at the main warehouse, arriving at 7:30 AM to help unload food donations and organize inventory. On Tuesdays, he works the client choice pantry, helping families select their groceries.

Why He Keeps Coming Back

"Every box I pack is going to feed a family," Tom says. "That's not abstract to me. I see the parents come through the pantry line with their kids, and I know what we do here matters. As long as I'm able, I'll keep showing up."

Tom was awarded the 2025 Volunteer of the Year award at the annual Harvest Gala.