Volunteer Spotlight: Courtney Lai

April 20, 2016

By: Lindsey Hargett, Communications Intern

Courtney Lai, a senior at the University of Delaware, is the newest volunteer intern at the Food Bank of Delaware. Courtney started at the Food Bank in February 2016 when she was looking for volunteer hours to satisfy her degree requirements.

“I have to complete 360 volunteer hours, so I looked on the [Food Bank] website and sure enough they were hiring interns, it was a good match,” Courtney said.

A typical day for Courtney involves coming in from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and explaining the process to the new volunteers for the day.

“I mainly just explain how the whole process works and supervise everyone,” she said. “I help them pack boxes and make sure they are taken to the right area.”

Courtney said her favorite aspect of her job is that she knows she is doing something meaningful, and she is not just sitting around in a cubical like she would be at another job.

“This job has purpose, and I know that what I am doing helps someone, so it is very fulfilling to know that this is not just a way to get my hours, but there is a positive outcome as well,” she explained.

When volunteers walk into the Newark volunteer room, they are filled with a sense of positivity; there is music playing and everyone is in high spirits while doing their work.

“It is cool to see all new and familiar faces in the volunteer room, they are all so helpful and the energy in the room is always high,” Courtney pointed out.

When asked what her plans were after graduation, a question all graduating seniors know too well, she said she does not have any immediate plans, but looks forward to see what the real world has to offer.

To learn more about volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware, please visit www.fbd.volunteerhub.com.