The Southeast Texas Food Bank would like to thank our featured volunteer, John Begnaud. We appreciate all that John does and wish to highlight his accomplishments and talents. Please see the Q&A below to learn more about the Southeast Texas Food Bank’s November Featured Volunteer.
Q&A
SETXFB: How long have you been volunteering at the Southeast Texas Food Bank?
John: I’ve been volunteering for the Food Bank for approximately two years.
SETXFB: Can you tell us a little bit about the departments and projects you’ve worked with during that time?
John: I’ve worked in the food-sorting area, primarily on Fridays, the School Tools program on weekday afternoons, and the Saturday Family Box Day.
SETXFB: What is your favorite volunteering memory at the Southeast Texas Food Bank?
John: I think my favorite memory was during my first day volunteering on the Saturday Family Box Day. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of what was being done. One of your workers explained that the food being packaged was being distributed throughout eight counties! That’s amazing! And when you think about it, you have 50 volunteers (give or take a few) that are boxing up roughly 1,000 packages of food. That means that each volunteer is helping to provide 20 families with food that will help supplement numerous meals throughout the month! Incredible!
SETXFB: Why is it important for you to volunteer at the Southeast Texas Food Bank?
John: It’s uplifting to see that there are so many people working to improve the lives of our fellow Southeast Texans. The volunteers come from all walks of life, but all for a good purpose. I feel rejuvenated when I am able to be a part of it.
SETXFB: Please tell us a little more about yourself.
John: I’ve been living in Southeast Texas for 40 years after my parents retired from the Marine Corps, growing up in Buna and attending Lamar University. I’ve been married to a wonderful woman, Cheryl, for 27 years. We have two great kids, Jessica who is employed at ExxonMobil, and Todd who is attending Lamar Institute of Technology.
SETXFB: What is your favorite kind of food?
John: Any type of Cajun! Gumbo, Creole, Fried Shrimp, Aiiee!
SETXFB: What advice would you give to those interested in volunteering?
John: Make the time to volunteer! You will enjoy the time you spend, you will enjoy the people you spend it with, and you will enjoy knowing that you are helping out others!
