April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month – a time to pause, reflect, and share heartfelt thanks to the individuals who give the most valuable gifts of all: their time, energy, and compassion. At Community Resource Center, we’re incredibly fortunate to have a volunteer community who truly embody what compassion in community looks like.
Volunteering at CRC is about community. It’s about compassion: showing up, standing alongside our neighbors, and saying with our hands and our hearts: “You matter.”
In 2024, over 1,000 volunteers contributed 25,211 hours to CRC’s mission – valued at nearly $1 million.* But beyond the numbers, the real value lies in the moments of dignity restored, safety reclaimed, shelves stocked with care, and encouragement shared during someone’s most vulnerable time.
Whether helping a neighbor select groceries with dignity in our food pantry, sorting donations at our resale stores, mentoring youth, or rolling up sleeves for Holiday Baskets, CRC volunteers make a difference every day. Volunteers like Lee Auerbach, our 2024 Volunteer of the Year, remind us of the power of presence. Lee not only volunteers weekly in our food pantry but also leads our Group Engagement program, welcoming community and corporate groups into meaningful service and deeper understanding of food insecurity in our region.
This past year also saw new initiatives take root:
- Our Youth Advisory Board helped shape how we engage the next generation of changemakers.
- Saturday Food Distribution gave new access points for working families to receive support – and for partners like Subaru Carlsbad to step in and serve.
- Our Resale Stores saw a 50% increase in volunteers, led by managers who create environments where people feel valued and vital.
Holiday Baskets alone brought together 354 volunteers and nearly 2,000 hours of joy – one participant wrote, “Very beautiful experience. Loved the volunteers that helped with the shopping. Truly thankful for everything.” These words echo what we already know: our volunteers are the beating heart of CRC.
Volunteering at CRC is about community. It’s about compassion: showing up, standing alongside our neighbors, and saying with our hands and our hearts: “You matter.”
To every volunteer – past, present, and future – thank you. You are the love, light, and life of this organization. We simply couldn’t do it without you.
*Value is based on an average value of $38.61/hour, as calculated by Independent Sector for the State of California: independentsector.org.
