Fall sports practice has begun, college students have moved back into their dorms, and it’s time to start studying. School is back in session, but for our student volunteers, summer may have been just as busy. On weekend shifts and school breaks, high school and college students dedicate their time and energy to making a difference in their community by volunteering at ACCFB. Some even take their commitment to the next level by becoming lead volunteers.

Tommy Opeka sorting apples in ACCFB’s warehouse.

“It’s just a great place to go be. If you have the time, it’s a really welcoming community and I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Tommy says.

Tommy Opeka, a junior at Bishop O’Dowd became a lead volunteer this past summer after he started volunteering in his freshman year.

Lead volunteering involves responsibility, supervision, management, public speaking, and institutional knowledge. It’s a great way for students to prepare for college and the job market. While service projects and school volunteer hour requirements may be what first draw students to ACCFB, many keep coming back because of the community and purpose they find here.

Now that he’s a lead volunteer, Tommy enjoys his additional responsibilities: “It’s been really nice to be able to interact with more people and take on more responsibility. It’s been really fun to come back and do some new things, which gives me a good feeling of accomplishment.”

When Tommy isn’t at school or playing baseball, you’ll likely find him at ACCFB’s Community Engagement Center. If you see him, don’t hesitate to say hi and ask him a question. “I’m always open to talk to people,” he says.

Kaitlyn Fang labeling boxes for canned fruit distribution.

Kaitlyn Feng, another student lead volunteer who spent time this summer at ACCFB, is a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz. Long-time volunteer John Cortesi is her godfather, but when she decided to start volunteering in high school, it was all her idea.

“[I wanted to become a lead volunteer] to challenge myself. I wanted to do more,” says Kaitlyn, who also enjoys the teaching-component of being a lead volunteer. “Teaching people what I know makes me feel good,” she says.

Community is also a source of joy for Kaitlyn: “One of the main things [that inspires me] is the community here. It makes me feel like I’m really important here and valued. And I get along with everybody here, too. I do enjoy the work, too, but I enjoy the community more.”

Now that school is back in session, students like Kaitlyn and Tommy continue to serve the community, coming in during school breaks and on weekend shifts.

“Our student lead volunteers are just the best of the best and we are so grateful for them,” says Ren Almanzor, ACCFB’s Volunteer Logistics Coordinator. Whether you’re a student or have long-since graduated, we welcome you to join a volunteer shift. As Ren says, “All the people that come through here are community members that want to do something really amazing and this is a great place to do that.”