Voices of HOPE: Hunger Action Month
During 100 Days of HOPE, we’re highlighting “Voices of HOPE” in our community — including the dedicated volunteers who make HOPE Atlanta’s hunger relief programs possible. Meet Sharon Moon, who has volunteered regularly at HOPE Atlanta for the past year.
Volunteers are involved in almost every aspect of HOPE Atlanta’s hunger relief operations, from packing food boxes and snack bags to hand-delivering meals and serving lunch to neighbors in need. As communities across America rally to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month, we want to recognize our volunteers who make this critical work possible.
Among them is Sharon Moon, who began seeking meaningful ways to fill the time after retiring from her accounting career.
“I’ve always done volunteer work, but now that I’m retired, I have more time,” Sharon said. “I wanted to do something more meaningful.”
After searching online for opportunities, Sharon found HOPE Atlanta. She was drawn to the hands-on aspect of volunteering for HOPE Atlanta and the organization’s work with veterans since her husband is a veteran.
She quickly rolled up her sleeves to help provide hot meals to women and children in need at HOPE Atlanta’s Women’s Community Kitchen.
“I like to get to know the ladies and am able to provide them lunch,” she explained. “I enjoy being able to serve them.”
Besides serving hot lunches, the Women’s Community Kitchen (“WCK”) lets guests “shop” for free essentials like hygiene items. The WCK also hosts events where community partners provide services like legal aid, help to obtain government IDs and benefits, and even nutrition classes.
For Sharon, the holidays are a particularly special time to volunteer.
“Christmas was wonderful. It gives me goosebumps just talking about it,” she recalled. “The security guards were able to get some music playing, and [the guests] were able to sing together. It brought me to tears.”
Sharon has also served at HOPE Atlanta’s WeServe Volunteer Center (the “warehouse”), where individuals and volunteer groups prepare food for distribution throughout the year. In both her work in the warehouse and WCK, she loves seeing other people and organizations giving back.
“It’s great to see all these huge businesses contributing, like Publix,” Sharon said. “It makes me love them even more to see all of their contributions. Even working at the Kitchen when it’s closed, I get to see the in-kind donations, and I get to see all of these Atlanta businesses that are contributing.”
What would Sharon tell others interested in getting involved?
“If you’re looking for somewhere to give back, HOPE Atlanta does great things. It’s very rewarding,” she said. “If you give it a chance, you’ll feel the way I do — that you’re truly helping.”
Sharon is part of a growing number of people and organizations joining the fight against homelessness and hunger in our communities. Last year, 749 people volunteered to help distribute more than half a million pounds of food.
Interested in joining them? Visit HOPE Atlanta’s website for volunteer information and sign-up links. You can also learn more about what to expect as a HOPE Atlanta volunteer here.
Besides volunteers, HOPE Atlanta relies on donations to feed food-insecure children, individuals, and families.
“Whenever I make a contribution to someone, I always wonder where the money goes,” Sharon emphasized. “Here, at HOPE Atlanta, I get to see where it goes.”
Spread kindness. Be a voice of HOPE.
Be part of the growing movement to end homelessness. Donate now to take action against these issues and be a voice of HOPE in our communities.
