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Desi Dixon only began volunteering at Ozarks Food Harvest in 2019, but she’s no stranger to The Food Bank.

Several years ago, Desi worked as an order picker on the operations team.

“I loved the mission when I started. I got to see exactly what The Food Bank does, and I love it,” she said.

Before retiring, Desi cleaned houses for a living. When her husband retired from a career in the Army, she was able to retire, too.

She currently volunteers once a week at The Food Bank’s warehouse, and she radiates joy and positivity in every session.

“I love the spirit of comradery. We dance, we make jokes while we sort…we’re all here for the same mission.”

After her volunteer shift ends each Thursday, Desi stays to have lunch with her sister Kimberly Hansen, The Food Bank’s CSFP/Senior Box coordinator.

Growing up, she understood what it felt like to go to bed hungry. Her family relied on a food pantry to get through the month.

“We grew up in a poor family. We were hungry all the time,” she said. “I know how scary and helpless it can feel to go without food.”
She wholeheartedly believes hunger in the Ozarks is a solvable problem.

“When it’s out of sight, out of mind, people think it doesn’t affect them, but people around us are hungry. We’re all one basically paycheck away from being hungry and homeless. But, I think if we all work together, we can solve hunger.”

We’re so grateful for Desi and the impact she’s making for people facing hunger in the Ozarks!

Want to volunteer with us? Visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer to sign up and self-schedule.