Kierstin Johnson
Mobile Pantry Assistant
I worked at The Open Door as an AmeriCorps Member from September 2020 – May 2021. I then worked as seasonal staff from May 2021 – September 2021. I went to Spain for the year and was lucky enough to be able to come back and work here again this summer. My favorite part of working at The Open Door is meeting nice volunteers and clients. I enjoy working in hunger relief. It’s nice knowing that the good food that would be thrown away at grocery stores is going to good use here. All the clients are so appreciative of what we do as an organization, and it feels good helping people who need it.
Anna Sarakaitis
AmeriCorps Member
I love helping out which is why this was the perfect opportunity for me. I’m a high schooler, volleyball player and an alpine skier. I also have two golden retrievers who love to go swimming with my friends and I at my cabin. My favorite part about working at The Open Door is the people. Not only is it a great cause, the people, both the volunteers and clients, were all amazing, very kind and unique. I feel like I am making a difference by helping out. It quickly became apparent that this food shelf was making a difference and it was rewarding to be a part of it.
John Schwartz
Mobile Lunchbox Coordinator
For me, working at The Open Door was a way to explore my future career interests, battle the food insecurity that I have seen in my community, and develop skills that will be extremely useful later in life. Everyday I see the need for hunger relief in our Dakota County community. Whether it is rescuing the thousands of pounds of quality food that goes to waste at our grocery stores every week, organizing and transporting food to be accessible to low-income communities, or physically handing meals out to families in need, at every step of the process I am grateful for making a positive difference in the effort against hunger.
Ashley Stock
Garden to Table Assistant
I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, majoring in environmental conservation and restoration management. I am in Dance Theater and Phi Mu – Zeta Sigma fraternity as the Diversity, Equity, and inclusion chairwoman and social chairwoman. I love to dance, draw, read, hike and explore new places. My goal is to be a park ranger for the northern boreal forests in Washington State. Working in hunger relief is a truly humbling and inspiring form of work. You get to meet different individuals from all walks of life. Working in hunger relief has filled my heart with so much love for the community members I get to meet each and every day.
Julia Schowalter
Mobile Lunchbox Coordinator
I grew up in the Twin Cities area and recently graduated from Eagan High School. In a few short weeks, I’ll be headed off to school at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst as a political science major. I have ever-changing interests, but I’ve never lost my love of good food, time with friends, books, or staying active. My puns are always intended and my love of furry animals has no end! I love being part of a team that is working towards a common goal, so the Open Door was immediately attractive. It’s also important to me to do what I can to help others, something I knew was integral to the Open Door’s mission.
Claire Newmark
AmeriCorps Member
My initial draw to The Open Door was the community coming together to help aid in a usually hidden aspect of people’s lives.The Open Door provides a safe place for people to both give and receive without judgment. I feel blessed to help provide food to those who would not be able to put food on the table. Outside of The Open Door, I am an upcoming senior (lots of homework!). I also serve on a board for a non-profit providing youth mental health resources for schools in Minnesota. My favorite hobby is hiking while traveling to other states. My picture is one of my hikes at Joshua Tree Park in California. I also love exploring new coffee shops, reading, and playing tennis with my parents.
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