Volunteer of the Month: Gail Bolden
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or organization that goes above and beyond in their service to the organization.
Since 2016, Gail Bolden has been rolling up her sleeves to help end hunger in Milwaukee. Whether she’s packing Stockboxes for local seniors, collecting food donations at the Wisconsin State Fair with colleagues from HealthEquity or helping harvest fresh produce at The Farm, Gail brings heart, energy and a clear passion for supporting her community.
Driven by a desire to make a real difference, Gail says it’s the mission that keeps her coming back: helping children and seniors, advocating for those in need, and ensuring healthy, quality food reaches the tables of our most vulnerable neighbors. Her favorite part? “Knowing that someone will benefit from healthy food on their table from [her] efforts.”
We’re proud to recognize Gail as our Volunteer of the Month and grateful for her commitment to the Free & Local mission!
When did you start volunteering with Hunger Task Force and what made you want to get involved?
Gail: I have been volunteering to pack Stockboxes since 2016. The same thing that drove me back then to volunteer is the same as it is today – the desire to help someone in a tangible way that really counts. Knowing that Hunger Task Force focuses on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities – children and seniors – is what really did it for me.
What volunteer activities do you help with?
Gail: I love to roll up my sleeves and put on my gloves to help build Stockboxes and work on The Farm. I also volunteer with my colleagues from HealthEquity to collect food during Opening Day at the Wisconsin State Fair.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering?
Gail: Knowing that someone will benefit from healthy food on their table from my efforts.
Why do you continue to pick Hunger Task Force?
Gail: I believe in Hunger Task Force’s mission as Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank. I truly appreciate how hard the organization works to give a voice to those in need and is determined to give quality food to the community. They are advocates at both the local and federal levels, working to secure funding to achieve their goals. They have developed various ingenious methods to deliver food to the community and stay current with the times (e.g., DoorDash deliveries, mobile markets). And the Farm! Oh my! Last year, when we helped wash produce that had just been harvested the day before, I saw the largest, most beautiful lettuce and peppers that I have ever seen. Knowing that it was going to be given to people in need just filled my heart.
What’s been your most memorable experience volunteering?
Gail: My favorite volunteer activity is building Stockboxes. This hands-on volunteer opportunity gives my team an opportunity to work together to help seniors in the community. There is nothing like accomplishing the feat of filling those boxes as a coordinated team and seeing the full pallets being rolled away in preparation for distribution. Plus, we have so much fun doing it!
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Hunger Task Force?
Gail: Do it! Our communities are in need and we can help by volunteering with Hunger Task Force in so many different ways. It is such a worthwhile endeavor to work with an organization that has a heart for others and is not just talk but a lot of action.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit: www.HungerTaskForce.org/volunteer
Meet our Volunteers of the Month!
Click below to discover the people making a difference in the fight against hunger – new volunteers added each month! Keep checking back to meet more incredible volunteers helping end hunger in Milwaukee.