As a member of the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA Board for over 8 years, Kim Harrison has played an integral role in setting up the school pantry at Brumby Elementary, serving over 300 families a week. Kim is a true community hero, and her enthusiasm for volunteering is contagious.

When asked her about her work, she spoke passionately about the impact areas facing Atlanta, especially food insecurity. "Food is essential to life. To know that many people go to bed hungry in this country is hard to swallow," she said.

Kim's dedication to the YMCA is evident in the way she talks about the organization. "They strive to form partnerships to help make a difference. They are the backbone of our community. We truly saw how strong the YMCA was in how they came through during the pandemic. They were there making sure our community had food," she said.

As for how volunteering has impacted her personal and professional life, Kim shared, "It has given me purpose. I look for ways we can continue to make an impact in our community."

Kim is a natural leader who excels at bringing people together. "I truly love working with volunteers in our community and helping them find ways they can make an impact. Matching their skills where they're needed most is important to me," she said.

When asked Kim to share a memorable moment from her volunteering experience, she told us about the relationships she's built with the families at the pantry. "How we look forward to seeing each other and checking in. These relationships are important to me and they truly mean something."

Kim's love for Atlanta and the community is infectious. "We are a community. So many come together to make Marietta better. I love the school system and working with those in the school. This includes the schools in both Marietta City and Cobb County. I love our sports teams and how they work to make an impact in our community," she said.

If you're interested in getting involved with volunteering, Kim has some advice for you. "Decide what area you're interested in. Is it food insecurity? Is it reading development? From there, look for organizations you've heard are active in your community. There are many YMCA's around Atlanta. That's a great place to start."

And if you're interested in volunteering in April, Kim has some exciting news. "We're starting a new food pantry in Marietta at Sawyer Road Elementary. This is a partnership with McCleskey YMCA, Sawyer Road/Marietta City Schools, The Atlanta Food Bank, Porch Marietta, Faith Lutheran, Mt. Paran North, and Mt. Zion UMC. We'd love to have our community help by either aiding us with food collections or volunteering on pantry day."

In closing, Kim wants everyone to know that she's just one of many volunteers in the community. "I'm so impressed by the volunteers I work with and their passion to serve. I continually learn from them and how best to serve."

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and volunteer! As Kim says, "Let's all make an impact in our community together."

Feeling inspired by Kim's amazing volunteer work?

You can help others like her continue to make a positive impact in our community by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta, where every $1 donated turns into $6 of economic impact. Click here to donate now.