Meet Cooper! He has been a part of the Columbia Pacific Food Bank’s volunteer family since 2008. Over the years, he has worn many hats including delivering food to the Brown Bag Program and creating hundreds, if not thousands, of emergency food boxes for our clients. Cooper decided to take a break a few years back but when the pandemic hit, he stopped by one day and asked if we needed his hard-working spirit again. We of course responded with YES! Since March, Cooper has been back at it, driving our van and picking up donations from all the local grocery stores.

When we asked Cooper why he decided to come back to volunteer, he shared that he couldn’t stand not helping out due to his knowledge that this community had so many that had fallen on hard times; that had lost their jobs due to Covid and felt compelled to pitch in. Cooper is a happy guy by nature! He is always spreading cheer and sharing his passion for the food bank. Many times we have heard him talking to our clients, students at the Brown Bag Program, and our community partners about his personal food insecurity story. He relates to folks sharing he too has had some hard times. Often people share their ideas around how they want to help feed Columbia County and give back and Cooper shares, “Then you got to act on it. I did!”

We are honored to have Cooper on our team and appreciate how much joy he brings to all of us. We find his passion to be contagious. Next time you stop by Columbia Pacific Food Bank ask to say hi to Cooper. You will be happy you did!