Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Cynthia

Cynthia has been volunteering in the Project Open Hand kitchen for one year and has proven herself invaluable. 

When asked about her favorite part of volunteering, Cynthia says, “You are always appreciated at Project Open Hand. The staff recognize your strengths and find tasks to match those strengths. I love the atmosphere here, too. I feel more connected to this city now.

Thank you to Cynthia, and to the 5,300 volunteers that have come through Project Open Hand's doors over the past year to produce and distribute #MealsWithLove.

Q&A with Cynthia 

Q: What does “meals with love” mean to you? 

A: Food is what connects people and is a fundamental part of being. That is what you feel here – you feel love, and that’s because of the food. 

Q: How has Project Open Hand impacted you personally?

A: I met one of my really good friends here, Sasha. We began volunteering together in the Kitchen and became really good friends. Whenever anyone sees one of us here without the other, they always ask “Where’s your other half?”. 

Q: What’s on your bucket list?

A: I want to complete a long-distance multiple-day hike. I want to challenge my mind and my body, that’s something that is really important to me.

Q: What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

A: I don’t have everything under control all the time. Sometimes, I have no idea what I’m doing! Most of the time I give off the impression that I have everything under control, but I feel stress and anxiety just like everyone else.