After retiring in December 2024, Lyndhurst resident Robert Destanik decided to go shopping. Shopping, that is, for a nonprofit to fill his time.

“I went to a couple of different nonprofits when I first started volunteering,” Desatnik told the Cleveland Jewish News. “I finally decided that the Greater Cleveland Food Bank was where I wanted to spend my time, and I found it very rewarding.”

Finding his “niche,” Desatnik now spends up to five days, or 20 to 25 hours a week, volunteering at the Nourishing Beginnings program or checking in neighbors at the Healthy Choice Market on South Waterloo Road in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood.

“I like the fact that I get to interact with what we call our ‘neighbors,’ or the people that we serve,” he said. “I get to welcome them into the markets, and I just find that they’re very appreciative.”

Why did you get into volunteering?

During my career, I was fortunate to have been able to volunteer with my former company at several mobile pantries on the near west side of Cleveland. The mobile pantry would run for about three hours, and I recall vividly cars being lined up on the street for hours, each waiting for their boxes of food so they could make it through the week. Those experiences made me realize that there was significant food insecurity out there.

When I thought about what I wanted to do during my retirement, I realized that I wanted to help those less fortunate than I. I had had a successful career and my family and I were very fortunate to have never had such a need. I also believe in tikkun olam – repairing the world. Volunteering and giving back to our community is my way of doing that.

What has been the most rewarding part of your volunteer work?

At the food bank, we refer to the patrons that shop in the market as “neighbors.” My work at the market revolves around welcoming and checking neighbors into the market – whether they are new or not, each neighbor is treated with dignity and respect. I enjoy interacting with each neighbor and getting them checked into the market so that they can do their shopping and receive the food that they need. I also enjoy interacting with the other volunteers that I’ve come to know – we each share something in common which is a desire to help our fellow citizens.

Neighbors are usually very grateful for the assistance that we provide and it’s nice to know that the work we do is appreciated. The staff is also very appreciative of our time –

they realize that, without the volunteers, they could not function.

As far as the program for expectant women and their families, I enjoy being able to pack fresh foods and knowing that they and their newborn children are receiving healthy foods that will allow them to get the best start in life.

What advice would you give people who are unsure about getting involved?

There are many organizations in our community that need volunteers to keep their operations going. Whether it’s a physical activity, administrative role or an activity where you can use your expertise, look for something you like and want to do on a continuous basis. Once you find what suits you best, you will be rewarded in what you get back from those experiences.

What has volunteering taught you about your community?

There are a huge number of people in our community in need of food. With the current economic conditions and cuts to Federal SNAP / Medicaid benefits, we’re seeing an increase in food insecurity. The number of neighbors shopping at the market has increased in the time that I’ve been volunteering. Living in the east side communities, we often don’t see this need, but it is definitely there.

There are a lot of folks in our community that care about helping others and it’s very inspiring to see that. Similar to myself, there are many others who volunteer on a regular basis. Additionally, many companies allow their employees to volunteer on a regular basis. Without these volunteers, it would be difficult for these organizations to provide the services that they provide.