General

Kathleen Shapley-Quinn became dedicated to fighting hunger when, in high school, she discovered the movement called “Bread for the World”, which is invested in hunger relief advocacy.  She has worked since then for that cause in all sorts of ways.  Here at PORCH, her advocacy is invaluable. 

What does she do?  She brings stamps, postcards, lists of immediate problems that our political representatives, state and local, need to address now, and sits us down between bagging and carrying to write to those who can, and should, implement change for the better.  She keeps her eye on emerging problems in the national and state sphere and listens as others bring her their concerns.

Kathleen came to PORCH with the idea of a double advocacy…not only feeding the hungry through our all-volunteer, neighborhood food gathering, but also to take advantage of sort-time to send those messages to those who can bring change not only locally, but to everyone in need. 

She gives me a broad smile when she says, “And the PORCH board listened and said yes!”  It seemed natural to work for those issues, too, since hunger is always driven by other needs.

Story by Rachel Mills

Martha Rigling was about to turn 80, when a friend, Ginny D’ercole, brought her along five years ago to volunteer at PORCH.  The PORCH folks thought that was marvelous, and threw her a birthday party.

Martha and her husband Richard, a school superintendent, had retired to Chapel Hill because, like many, they were looking for a warmer climate, and Florida, where they first thought to go, “just didn’t seem right,” Martha remembers.  When her daughter, already living and working hereabouts, suggested they come to Chapel Hill, they found it perfect. “We love it here,” she says.  

It wasn’t long before she began to look around for opportunities to meet people.  A book group, a monthly neighborhood gathering for “empty nesters”, and other activities keep her in good company, but PORCH is, she insists, the best of all.  

“I can’t wait for that second Monday and Wednesday each month. The work PORCH does is amazing,” she says, “and so well run.  It’s like everyone just comes in and knows where to be and what to do, and they do it.” 

“Plus,” she adds, “I meet so many nice people each time…this month, I met a new volunteer and now…” she grins, “I’ve met you, too!”

Story written by Rachel Mills

Symoni Patel is one of PORCH’s most enthusiastic volunteers, and also one of its most active ones.  She will tell you with a big smile, “I like to help!”

Symoni came to PORCH with her The Arc of the Triangle guide about two years ago through a volunteer outreach program that The Arc of the Triangle supports.  She had already acquired some important skills while she worked at the Meadowmont Harris Teeter bagging, helping to carry, and shelving.  At each PORCH sort, you can find her ably unpacking and sorting donated bags that come in from neighborhood porches like yours, so that the third shift can begin with full stacks of non-perishables, which are bagged up again, ready to be distributed to the schools and organizations PORCH supports.  Watching Symoni, you have no doubt that she knows the whole drill.