On Wednesdays and Fridays, you'll find Jes.e working hard in our warehouse, sorting groceries and packing frozen meals – while making sure there’s some music in the air. Week after week, he prepares food for Lifelong clients, building community while helping ensure neighbors across the region have access to nutritious meals.
Ask Jes.e why he keeps coming back, and his answer is simple: "The feeling of volunteering gives you faith in people."
It's the sense of connection that means the most to him. Jes.e loves the friendships that form during a shift and the shared purpose that brings everyone together. In fact, he describes Lifelong as "the best job I've ever had," not because of the work itself, but because of the Lifelong volunteers and staff.
What many may not realize is that Jes.e's relationship with Lifelong began long before he ever stepped into our warehouse as a volunteer.
He started as a client.
At a difficult time in his life, Jes.e turned to Lifelong for housing and food assistance. The support he received helped him regain stability and left a lasting impression.
"You guys literally saved my life, with the housing."
As a grocery client, he looked forward to delivery days. The drivers brought more than food. They brought conversation, kindness, and a sense of connection. Jes.e made sure he was home when deliveries arrived so he could spend a few minutes chatting with them.
Eventually, Jes.e reached a point where he no longer needed grocery assistance. But he wasn't ready to leave the community that had supported him.
Instead, he decided to give back.
Today, Jes.e volunteers twice a week, helping pack grocery bags and frozen meals for others. He has become known for both his dedication and his willingness to improve the process. One of his favorite contributions was suggesting a new way to stack frozen items during meal assembly so they would stay cold longer while volunteers worked.
At the heart of everything he does is a simple philosophy: "Leave the world a bit better than how I found it."
That mindset has carried Jes.e from receiving support to providing it. The care he once experienced as a client now comes full circle through the time, energy, and compassion he gives to others.
When asked what keeps him hopeful about the future, he points to the way communities come together to support one another and the growing recognition of organizations like Lifelong throughout the region.
And for anyone considering volunteering, his advice is straightforward: "Volunteer. It will increase your faith in humanity."