I spent this past summer as a volunteer at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester, New Hampshire. This opportunity came about courtesy of the economy. In May, the company I worked for had a reduction in work force, and, along with many others, I lost my job. I went home numb, in shock that this had happened to me. First reaction: I had to get a job, as quickly as possible, to pay the bills and get back into the work force.  For several days, that was my sole focus, looking for work, notifying my contacts, searching for job openings. At the end of each search, I came away drained, frustrated and angry, wondering if I’d ever get another job. This searching ate at me constantly, and worse, was spilling over into my everyday life.

It was my partner who suggested that I spend some time volunteering, as I could help other people rather than focus on me, dealing with the job loss. I decided to volunteer at the New Hampshire Food Bank; I led some company food drives in the past, bringing in donations and I was quite familiar with their work. I did not know how powerful an impact this volunteering would have on me.