Consider This from NPR What's motivating volunteers across the country, especially this Thanksgiving
Nov 27, 2025
Ransom Miller, founder of Project Giveback, shares his inspiring journey from a casual conversation to organizing one of the largest Thanksgiving food distributions in the mid-Atlantic. He reveals a dramatic increase in food assistance needs this year due to recent SNAP program pauses. Miller highlights the power of volunteers, detailing how nearly a thousand people come together to tackle food insecurity. Additionally, he discusses expanding Project Giveback to different cities and the importance of community commitment during tough times.
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Emotional Roots Of Volunteering
- Gerard Van Der Werken cried at home dedications because he remembered being an immigrant who received help.
- His emotion underscores volunteering as a way to repay past kindness and connect across generations.
Personalized Care In Clothing Drives
- Lee Cooper packs clothes and writes encouraging notes for people in early sobriety.
- He tailors kits with small comforts like fancy soap and a hairbrush to support dignity.
Medieval Reenactors In Classrooms
- James and Hillary Cornwell have volunteered as medieval reenactors in classrooms for 35 years.
- They bring real armor and keep connected with students long after their own children grew up.