Al Starkweather, of Buchanan, is a retired mechanic who volunteers his time at Redbud Area Ministries, a local food, clothing and household item distribution center, as well as with the local Feeding America program.

How long have you been volunteering at Redbud Area Ministries?
Three years now. I got involved through my mother. She contacted me one day and said, “You are not doing too much these days why don’t you come down and help us out?” So I did, and I enjoyed it and stuck with it.

What are you helping with at the moment?
Right now, we are in the middle of our big Christmas push, with the “Stuff a Truck” program. Our backroom is all full of toys right now. We are going to be doing that Saturday this week.
Also, my mother, my wife and I will be in here Saturday. We have 120 Christmas baskets we are filling up with food — including a turkey.
The Boy Scouts will come in on Dec. 20. We will meet them here, give them the addresses and then the Boy Scouts will deliver them to the needy throughout the area.

What other things do you help with throughout the year?
Throughout the year, I am here three days a week. I also help out with the Feeding America program. Rain, sleet, sunshine or snow, we are out there running. Two years ago, in February, will always be on my mind. It was 20 degrees below zero, and we were still out there passing out food at the Feeding America truck. That will stick in my mind until the day I die, because it was bitter nasty outside. It was surprising how people showed up, because they were hungry.

Why do you like volunteering to help the hungry?
I get enjoyment out of helping people. People do not realize how many hungry people there are out here. There are a lot of them.

Is there anything else you help out with around the community?
Nope, it’s just the Feeding America truck and this [Redbud]. Besides those, I do not have much time for anything else.

What would you say to encourage others to volunteer?
If people can volunteer, I would urge them to do it so they can see what the real world is like. That is the only way I can put it.

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as the Volunteer of the Week by calling the newsroom at (269) 687-7713, or emailing a tip to news@leaderpub.com.