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David Hastings: It’s My Obligation To Give Back

After retiring, David Hastings knew it was time for him to give back to the community that had given him so much. 

David HastingsDavid Hastings loves Middle Tennessee.

“I was born here, grew up here, had a career here, raised my family here, so I am very intrenched in the community,” David said.

For 21 years, David worked at OHL now called GEODIS, a Brentwood-based logistics company and longtime supporter of Second Harvest. When he retired at the end of June, David felt compelled to give back to the community that had given him so much.

The following week, he signed up to volunteer two days a week at our Nashville distribution center for the next five weeks.

On Thursdays, he sorted non-perishable food in the warehouse, and on Fridays, he volunteered on the Produce Truck, distributing fresh food directly to individuals in need around Davidson County.

The Produce Truck GIVING BACK ON THE PRODUCE TRUCK

After two decades in the logistics industry, David is no stranger to warehouses, so it was his Produce Truck shifts that particularly piqued his interest.

“Being able to put faces with hunger really hit home and made it more personal to me.” David said. “You can see where the need is.”

For over a month, David helped our driver distribute produce, bread, eggs, milk, and more to some of Nashville’s most food-insecure neighborhoods. After the first few weeks, he started to learn the names and needs of those he was serving.

peachesThere was one senior who only ever asked for fruit, something he likely wouldn’t have access to without the Produce Truck. The man was wheelchair-bound, so David assisted him through the line, making sure to fill his two bags with all the fruit they could fit.

“I’d take it, sit it in his lap, and he’d be on his way. If you could see the look on his face…that meant everything to me,” David said. “I had five visits with that gentleman.”

After taking a brief break at the end of the summer, David is back to volunteering regularly at the food bank and plans to do so throughout the rest of the year.

We are lucky to have many passionate volunteers, but David’s commitment to end hunger in Middle Tennessee is special. He donates his time and energy out of love for this community.

“This town has given me a good life,” David said. “I feel like it’s my obligation to give back.”

If you would like to distribute food directly to those in need, sign up to volunteer with the Produce Truck. 

 

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