Lead Volunteer John Hiatt: Gratitude for those who serve alongside him

By Sarah Baquet

John Hiatt has been volunteering with Catholic Charities of Acadiana since the day FoodNet Food Bank became one of our programs. John’s steadfast commitment to serve at FoodNet Food Bank equals that of a member of our staff. One fruit of John’s commitment and steadiness is the attraction of both individual and small groups of volunteers around him that equal his zeal and commitment for feeding the hungry through FoodNet.  

This is what John has to say about the caliber and contributions of the Catholic Charities of Acadiana volunteers he works with each week at FoodNet Food Bank:  

“A food bank needs two things to be successful, generous donors who contribute the food items and monetary support needed to meet the community’s needs and hard-working volunteers to do the work of sorting, bagging and distributing that food. Catholic Charities of Acadiana is blessed with both.   

For volunteers, FoodNet asks for six workers each day, but that number is almost always exceeded and a high percentage of them are “regulars” who have become friends through shared time on the bagging line or around the rice bin.   

Are our volunteers committed? This week one came to help with her arm in a cast above the elbow and another came a few days after having finger joint surgery.  Another had hernia surgery and said she couldn’t lift much but she still wanted to help.   

Most volunteers stay as long as there is work to be done and make it known that they would be happy to stay longer.   

Feeding the hungry is our mission and our volunteers make that a reality!”  

Catholic Charities of Acadiana is so grateful to John and all the volunteers who form such a great team at FoodNet Food Bank! 

Thank you, John and Team!