LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some Louisville nonprofits are hoping for more volunteers as the new year begins. 

What You Need To Know

  • St. Vincent de Paul food pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays

  • Volunteers make the pantry possible

  • Having been retired for six years, 71-year-old Rick Vowels volunteered at the pantry for the first time Tuesday

  • Families also volunteered together

After saying goodbye to his day job, Rick Vowels said he knew another kind of work wasn't finished. He wanted to dedicate more time to volunteering. Having been retired for six years, Tuesday was his first time volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul food pantry after a suggestion from a friend. 

As long as he is able-bodied, Vowels, 71, said he wants to dedicate his time to helping others. The pantry helps hundreds of individuals and families over the course of a single year.

"The volunteers here are very helpful," said Theresa Burks, who leans on St. Vincent de Paul for essential groceries.

While Vowels volunteers in his retirement, sisters Jailynn Profumo and Laila Brooks are setting their own example as young adults. Profumo attends Eastern Kentucky University, and her sister is in high school.

"We got up at 8 a.m., came in and did this," Profumo said. "I just think it's important." 

Once Burks has her groceries, nearly a dozen volunteers will have helped assemble them. That doesn’t even include volunteers at Dare to Care food bank which stocks pantries. 

St. Vincent de Paul Family Success Center is at 1029 South Preston St. The food pantry is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon.

Related Stories