A small effort can make a big difference.
Originally written in 2024; revised in 2026
ERIE, Pa. — Looking back at this, it wasn’t really about the number of boxes I moved, but the idea of being part of something bigger.
Cars drove up, stopped, and pulled away along the eastern side of Erie. “Four!” someone yelled. I kept the number deep in thought as I grabbed boxes. You can hear a crowd of footsteps conjoin as a car comes near.
My roommate Joey suggested I volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Erie. He frequently volunteered for them for his honors courses.
Before this, I haven’t done anything like this before. I worked doing construction, but nothing that involved teamwork, communication, and true leadership.
I filled out the online form to volunteer from 4–5 p.m. at the food bank. On Tuesday, I started the drive up to Erie at 4:15 p.m. since it was a 25-minute drive and the online forum told volunteers to be there 15 to 30 minutes early.
I got just before the food bank when a worker told me to stop. I pulled up to ask him where the volunteers go. He was sitting there with a stop sign to prevent a long line. He then told me to go up to the loading dock. Then I noticed the five lines of cars. This was going to be long.
I saw a sign that said “VOLUNTEER ENTRANCE”, so I walked up to the door and the door was locked. One of the volunteers — a tall, older man with a gray sweatshirt named Marvin — instantly called me over to be marked as in attendance. I looked around and there were five other volunteers in attendance. We sat there for 10 minutes before one of the volunteers told me to take on the box role. I looked around at the other boxes and I realized mine was the biggest and heaviest.
Before I could think much more about it, one of the workers yelled “One!” I had no idea what that meant. I instantly looked around at the other volunteers for guidance and I got no response.
It wasn’t until I asked Marvin what I was supposed to do.
“Whenever they call a number that is the number of boxes you need,” Marvin said, “you will get the hang of it sooner or later”.
“Two!” was yelled and Marvin repeated the call.
I took two boxes and got in line behind three other volunteers. First in line was an older, shorter lady who frequently helped the volunteers carry their boxes. The second in line was Marvin carrying two smaller boxes. Marvin stayed in line to help the others put their boxes in. The third in line a younger woman who was wearing bright red long-sleeve shirt carrying two thinner boxes.
As soon as I got to the front Marvin took off the top box and placed in the trunk before taking the second one. That is when I noticed the numbers placed on the cars using small blue cards. The cards were placed right under the windshield wipers.
“One!” the worker yelled.
This was my last box. We still had four more cars to go until we were done. I went through three pallets of boxes. I panicked and told Marvin that I was out. Packing stopped until one of the workers came over and told me it was okay.
We finished at 5:30 p.m., half an hour later than we were scheduled.
“Longest we had in a while”. One of the volunteers said. “One of our most productive days”.
When I first arrived, I had no idea what the numbers meant or what I was even supposed to do. By the end of the shift, I had a better understanding of teamwork and the dedication that goes into our communities in Erie and back home. I left tired, but glad I decided to show up.
Even a small contribution like one box at a time can make a difference in our community.