Nearly every Tuesday for the last 40 years, Harvey volunteered at Feeding America West Michigan. On June 29, he passed away at 95 years old. The food bank staff and his fellow volunteers will miss seeing him walk through the food bank’s front door every week.
“He came in to do as much as he could,” Retail Coordinator Nate Maroulis said. “He was often the first of his group to come, and the last to leave.”
Whether he was scooping cereal, sorting non-perishable foods or bagging produce, Harvey devoted himself fully to his volunteer work, always arriving ready to get his hands dirty and work hard.
During World War II, Harvey served in the US Navy as an Aviation Metalsmith in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he worked as a commercial and residential painting contractor. He retired nearly 40 years ago, and joined a Golden K Kiwanis volunteer group. Through this group, he volunteered at Feeding America West Michigan and with the Salvation Army as a bell ringer.
Dedication like Harvey’s is essential to Feeding America West Michigan’s goal to end hunger in every corner of its 40-county service area. Thanks to the commitment of the food bank’s regular volunteers, Feeding America West Michigan can continue to support its 900+ partner agencies throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Story written by Juliana Ludema, Communication Assistant