Why I Still Volunteer—Even Though I Don’t Have To

Back in high school, we had to complete 105 hours of volunteer work to be able to walk at graduation. At the time, it felt like just another box to check off. Between sports and my job, I needed something flexible—so I picked Common Heart, a local food pantry that worked well with my schedule. I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect much from it.

But I was wrong.

From day one, I found myself surrounded by people who genuinely cared. Not just about what they were doing, but about each other. I worked with people of all ages—kids as young as 7, and some volunteers in their 60s and 70s. There was something cool about that mix. It didn’t matter where you came from or what your story was—everyone just showed up ready to help.

Common Heart gets regular deliveries from grocery stores—food that’s past the sell-by date but still good. We’d take all of it, sort it, and build care packages that went straight into cars for delivery to people who needed it. I wasn’t just stacking cans or moving boxes—I was part of something that made a real difference in someone’s day.

I even dragged a friend with me a few times. It’s funny how doing something for the community can actually turn into something you look forward to. We laughed, we worked, we got to know people. And there’s something satisfying about doing real work with your hands that actually matters.

At some point, the hours I was counting for school just stopped being the reason I showed up. I had over 110 hours but I kept going back even when I didn’t have to. And now—when I am home from college I help out at Common Heart over the summer.

There’s just something about giving your time to help others that feels good. It reminds you of what’s important. Not everything has to be about a paycheck or a resume line. Sometimes, it’s just about being a decent human and showing up.

So yeah—what started as a graduation requirement turned into something that’s now just part of my life. And honestly? I’m glad it did.