Volunteer Spotlight: Vardaan in Action
“It’s really important to volunteer because you get to see how these problems are affecting people in our city and how you can make an impact.”
Vardaan Kumar, a sophomore at Oregon Episcopal School, is making a big difference at Neighborhood House’s Free Food Market. What started as a school service opportunity quickly turned into something more meaningful. “It’s really important to volunteer because you get to see how these problems are affecting people in our city and how you can make an impact,” Vardaan shared. Since then, he has become a familiar and reliable volunteer, helping neighbors access the food they need.
Last summer, Vardaan used his skills to make the market more welcoming. He reached out to his friends who speak other languages and created flyers in five different languages, helping more people learn about and access the Free Food Market. For Vardaan, volunteering is about showing up consistently and making sure people feel supported. He understands how important it is for families to get food quickly and safely, especially during busy or hot days.
This year, Vardaan is taking his support even further by signing up to volunteer at the SW Hope 5K. He will be alongside Neighborhood House staff throughout the event, tabling and helping where he is needed most.
SW Hope is a great way to get involved, have fun, and support neighbors facing food insecurity. Whether you walk, run, or cheer others on, every step helps make sure families in our community have access to the food they need.
Neighborhood House and our Free Food Market staff are very appreciative of Vardaan’s efforts. His desire to help at such a young age is such an inspiration to see
