Every Saturday morning, while many people are still easing into their weekend, Tony Parson is already on the road delivering meals and smiles to Food & Friends clients across the region. For nearly a year, he faithfully served as a volunteer driver, turning a few hours each weekend into meaningful moments of connection and care.
Tony first discovered Food & Friends through VolunteerMatch, a resource he has long used to find volunteer opportunities. Giving back is nothing new for him. In fact, he has spent more than 20 years volunteering in various capacities. But when he found Food & Friends, something clicked.
“I loved it. I loved it. Loved it,” Tony recalls of his first experience. “This feels like family. I really love this.”
That sense of belonging starts the moment he arrives each Saturday. Tony speaks warmly about the volunteer coordinators, staff, and fellow volunteers who create an environment that is welcoming, organized, and supportive.
“Everyone’s so accommodating,” he says. “There’s always smiles when I get here on Saturday. It’s always organized, it’s smooth, and we communicate. I just love it.”
After loading up his vehicle, Tony heads out on his regular route, often accompanied by classical music and the anticipation of seeing familiar faces. Over time, he has built relationships with many of the clients on his delivery route. What may begin as a meal delivery often becomes a conversation about someone’s week, a new haircut, or simply a chance to check in.
Tony Parson packs medically tailored meals into to car for his Saturday delivery route
“We’ve built a rapport, a relationship, so now they know me,” Tony says. “They’re always happy to see me.”
Those connections are what make the experience so rewarding. Tony knows that many clients are navigating serious health challenges, yet he consistently finds joy in the positivity they share.
“If I can get a smile or just a wink or anything, it’s great,” he says. “I know I’m contributing.”
For Tony, volunteering is about more than delivering healthy meals. It is about helping people feel seen, supported, and cared for. “You just know you’re actually hands-on and you’re helping someone improve their life,” he says. “To deliver healthy meals to people in need, it’s a blessing all the way around.”
The impact goes both ways. As someone who works from home and describes himself as an introvert, Tony says volunteering enriches his own life just as much as it helps those he serves.
“This is my social interaction,” he explains. “I get so much out of it. It kind of fills me up.”
In a world that can often feel disconnected, Tony believes volunteering is a powerful way to bring people together.
“I get to see people smile every Saturday morning, and I just love it,” he says. “I think I get as much out of it as they do.”
His message to anyone considering volunteering is heartfelt and straightforward: “You can’t go wrong by volunteering here. Whether you drive and deliver or help out in the kitchen, you’re contributing to our community and helping people in need. It’s a blessing for you, and it’s a blessing for them.”
Inspired by Tony’s story? Join the Food & Friends volunteer community and help deliver nourishment and hope to neighbors who need it most. Sign up today at https://foodandfriends.org/volunteer/volunteer-with-us/.