For nearly seven years, Adam Harris has served as a volunteer lead at Midwest Food Bank Morton, helping guide evening and weekend volunteer groups through projects that support hunger and disaster relief efforts.
Outside of volunteering, Adam works full-time as a communications specialist for Caterpillar. Through Midwest Food Bank, he found a meaningful way to give back while helping others experience the impact of serving together.
Adam was first introduced to Midwest Food Bank while serving on the board for Generation United, a young professionals group through Heart of Illinois United Way. Through that role, he volunteered with several organizations across Central Illinois, but Midwest Food Bank stood out.
“Sometimes when you volunteer, you leave an event thinking, ‘Did I really do anything, or was I just standing around for two hours?’” Adam shared. “I never felt that way when I volunteered with Midwest Food Bank. I always thought, ‘Wow, we accomplished a lot in a short time.’”
After leaving Generation United, Adam chose to continue investing his time at Midwest Food Bank. Years later, one of the things he enjoys most is watching volunteer groups grow more comfortable, work together, and see how much they can accomplish during a shift.
Adam has also found unique ways to extend his impact through Caterpillar’s employee volunteer program.
“When I log 10 or more volunteer hours with Cat Foundation, they donate money back to charities I volunteer with,” he explained. “So I can turn my volunteer time into donations which I can reinvest in MFB. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Outside of the warehouse, Adam enjoys traveling and makes it a point to visit local bakeries wherever he goes. He is pictured here during a recent trip to Japan.
Volunteer Coordinator Brittany Parker sees Adam’s leadership firsthand during volunteer shifts.
“Adam is a great lead for MFB Morton,” Brittany shared. “Often on his own at night, he is resourceful for the different ages and sizes of groups that come through our doors. He is so welcoming and such a great ambassador for Midwest Food Bank values.”
Midwest Food Bank Morton is grateful for volunteers like Adam who continue helping create a welcoming environment while making meaningful impact possible.
