Every profession has its challenges, and working for a non-profit organization is no exception. At the end of 2025, the Food for Hope team was at a point of near burnout. The last three months of last year were some of the most logistically challenging and demanding circumstances we have ever experienced. When we returned from the holiday break, I checked-in with the staff here at Food for Hope to find out what keeps them coming back even when circumstances are hard. Some of their responses are below. I hope you find their resilience and optimism as encouraging as I do!
1) What is the most challenging thing about your job?
“The most challenging part of our job is the “drop in the bucket” mentality. It can be very easy to feel like we barely make a difference, no matter how hard we work.”
“The most challenging part of my job is balancing my desire to make volunteering fun, rewarding, and accessible with the specific operational needs of our organization. I want to accommodate everyone who wants to help, but our needs don’t always align with the limitations or expectations of every volunteer or group.”
“The most challenging thing about my job, as the Director of Development, is honestly connecting with all the businesses in our communities and finding time to be at "all the things" to develop these connections!”
2) Why do you stay at FFH as an employee even when things are hard?
“I know that even in the midst of the hardest days, my overall efforts have a lasting, positive result. The work we do results in kids being fed. And it’s not just feeding them, it’s giving them a chance to succeed in life. I believe strongly in our mission and I am proud of the way we fulfill it.”
“During the SNAP funding crisis, what could have felt hopeless and overwhelming instead became a powerful reminder of why this work matters. I watched our community rally around FFH, offering their time, resources, creativity, and compassion to help us continue serving students and families. That experience reaffirmed why I stay.”
“I think in general it can be challenging to find work where you feel like what you do adds meaningful value to the organization as a whole, and where what you do has a positive impact beyond your organization. At FFH I've found both. I don't feel like another cog in the machine, but a contributing member of a team of exceptional women. And what we accomplish together has a direct, positive impact on our community.”
3) What is one of your most rewarding moments during your time working for FFH?
“The gratitude and real-ness we get to see - from the grandpa who takes care of his grandsons full time, or the best friends the come shopping together for their families so the one can translate for the other, or the expectant mama who wants to share her baby news with us - it’s just so special.”
“One of the most rewarding moments in my time at FFH was watching the transformation of two teenagers who initially came to volunteer with us to fulfill court-ordered community service hours. They arrived closed off and abrupt, but over time I saw them become open, engaged, and genuinely excited to be there. It was incredibly meaningful to watch our core volunteers intentionally build relationships with them while working side by side. I was deeply moved when one of the teens shared that FFH made him feel like family.”
“I rarely interact with the families we serve. So when I get a note passed along from families through our volunteers saying they loved what I was able to pick up for them, or a particular item I chose was a big hit, that is always rewarding. To know I was able to brighten someone's day because they got to take home blackberries…”
“Some of my most rewarding moments at FFH include, staff friendships, connecting with our communities and building new relationships, and being hands on with families, students and staff at the schools we support. I can remember one student who told me: "It's not that we don't have food at home, we do, but my parents don't give it to me,” this alone changed my thoughts and helped me realize the work we do is so very important and can help one student be stronger in their steps.”
I’m inspired by my team and their willingness to persevere in our mission. We hope that you will keep showing up with us and help us reach as many students as possible with healthy and fresh food in the coming year.
