“By showing up, you show people that you care. That alone makes a difference”
After more than two and a half years of steady service at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, volunteer Adrian is moving from New York City to Charleston, South Carolina — but his generosity and good humor will have a lasting part of our community.
Originally from the Netherlands, Adrian first got involved at HASK after his wife, Doreen, discovered the organization online. “She was very excited about it, and that’s kind of how I got into it,” Adrian recalls with a smile. What began as a shared interest soon became a cherished part of his weekly routine.
At Holy Apostles, Adrian could often be found at the pantry, specifically, in what he politely describes “the job nobody else really wanted,” helping distribute heavy bags of dairy items. “It’s good exercise,” he laughs, “and it’s fun.”
Adrian is quick to note that what kept him coming back was more than just the work. “It’s very well organized,” he said. “You can sign up easily, there’s clear leadership, and there’s actually work to do. I’ve volunteered in many places over the years, but I’ve never seen an organization so well run as this one.”
He also found deep meaning in connecting with others, from guests to fellow volunteers. “You can make an impact just by spending a couple of hours,” he reflected. “By showing up, you show people that you care. That alone makes a difference.”
Volunteering has been part of Adrian’s life since long before New York. His first experience was as a “Big Brother” to a ten year old in Massachusetts; an experience that taught him how consistency, empathy, and small actions can change the lives of our youth. “You start to see how by spending a little time, you can really make an impact,” he said.
For Adrian, that those lessons reappear at Holy Apostles too. “When I learned about the magnitude of what this organization does — the meals served every day, the pantry, the outreach — I thought, this is incredible. To help even a little bit, to be part of that, it’s great.”
As he prepares to begin a new chapter teaching and mentoring students in Charleston, Adrian leaves behind not just hours volunteered, but a lasting example of what compassion in action looks like.
His advice to anyone thinking about volunteering? “Go online. Sign up. Try it. You can’t lose anything; and you might just make a difference.”
