Volunteer of the Month: Tom Frohna | January 2024
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or organization that goes above and beyond in their service to the organization.
Hunger Task Force relies on the help of more than 16,000 generous volunteers every year. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Tom Frohna has been a regular volunteer at Hunger Task Force since 2022, providing assistance in various areas such as warehouse operations, the School Garden, special events, Stockbox packing and more. His unwavering commitment to our mission, demonstrated through over 280 volunteer hours last year, showcases his dedication and positive impact on our organization. We couldn’t be happier to honor Tom as the Volunteer of the Month for January 2024.
Q: When did you start volunteering with Hunger Task Force?
Tom: My initial introduction to Hunger Task Force was when my daughters needed service hours for high school. We turned that into a family Stockbox experience, and I decided that “when I had more time” I would become more involved. In early 2023 my schedule opened, and I discovered the volunteer calendar and how easy it was to sign up and give back.
Q: What volunteer activities do you help with?
Tom: I guess I’ve helped with a little of everything including various activities at The Farm, lending a hand with administrative tasks, working in the warehouse, Stockbox packing, loading dashers with boxes of food for seniors, community events and other food distributions.
Q: What’s your favorite part about volunteering?
Tom: It’s a close tie between A) knowing that I’m part of something bigger than myself that is helping the community and B) doing that work alongside great people — the volunteers and the entire Hunger Task Force staff.
Q: How did you get involved?
Tom: I have believed in the importance of being involved in my community for many years. After a change-of-life experience at the end of 2022, I knew that I wanted to re-engage my inner volunteer.
Q: Why do you continue to pick Hunger Task Force?
Tom: All my experiences with Hunger Task Force have been great. The work is rewarding, the other volunteers and staff members are welcoming and everyone works really well together.
Q: What’s been your most memorable experience volunteering?
Tom: Probably cleaning beehives at The Farm in the spring. This involved scraping wax and propolis from hives and frames. It’s not something I ever imagined doing, but it’s a critical part of supporting these irreplaceable pollinators and keeping The Farm’s production going strong.
Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Hunger Task Force?
Tom: Just do it! Don’t be afraid to try different opportunities. You will find one or more favorite activities or groups of people to work with.
