“I don’t understand why things that are so necessary to exist, like food, have to be behind a paywall.”
While many teens will spend their summer volunteering, 18-year-old Casey Nadler has gone above and beyond. Casey has showed up week after week for nearly a year to support Neighborhood House’s Free Food Market.
“Casey has a lot of enthusiasm,” said Jim Cooper, Market Program Manager. “He’s very inquisitive and likes to learn. We truly appreciate his help in the delivery program, especially during the school year.”
Casey’s commitment has been unwavering. Each week, he helps check expiration dates and fills boxes of food destined for families across Southwest Portland. He also picks up donations from 25 neighborhood households through the Portland Food Project. His efforts make a real difference—and this spring, they also helped him graduate with honors from Summit Learning Charter High School.
Why choose to volunteer at Neighborhood House? “It’s nice to have a place close to home,” Casey said. “But also, it’s a thing I can do that I don’t have to think too hard. Some days it’s nice to ‘not brain.’”
Casey plans to study computer science after graduation. “You get to work at your own pace,” he said. “With my ADHD and Autism, it’s hard for me to know if I screwed up—if I’m the problem. Working with computers makes it obvious if it’s me or the computer who created the error.”
Despite his interest in technology, Casey is also thoughtful about its impact. A recent article he read about fast food automation stuck with him. “Automation means machines are replacing people. There will be fewer jobs for people who don’t have many marketable skills anyway. Without a job, more people will need to visit places like the Free Food Market. That’s a problem.”
Casey carries a clear-eyed perspective on food insecurity.
“The biggest problem is that this place (the Market) is necessary to exist,” he said. “I don’t understand why things that are so necessary to exist, like food, have to be behind a paywall.”
Among staff, Casey is known for his humor and unique perspective. Brooke Chavez, the Market’s Assistant Manager, is one of Casey’s favorite coworkers. She enjoys their conversations about t-shirt slogans, politics, and video games.
“He’s a lot of fun to joke around with,” Brooke said, adding with a smile, “plus, he knows I always keep snacks at my desk.”
Volunteers like Casey remind us of the heart behind community care—people showing up, staying curious, and doing what they can to support their neighbors.
