HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Airman 1st Class Kenneth McGuire, an accounting technician for the 66th Comptroller Squadron, has always looked for ways to give back to the community where he lives.
Soon after arriving here late last year with his wife, Tech. Sgt. Christina McGuire, a recruiter with the 319th Recruiting Squadron, he found an opportunity to give back through a local food pantry in search of volunteers.
“After calling around to local nonprofit organizations, I found the Bedford Community Table/Pantry, a local 501 (c)(3) that provides meals each Thursday night to those in need, including veterans,” McGuire said. “Each week I recruit volunteers from Hanscom to help serve meals from 5 to 6:30 p.m.”
McGuire explained that volunteers serve beverages, salads, entrées and desserts to more than 70 patrons.
“It really is a great model that allows the volunteer servers to engage with guests, which is something I really enjoy,” he said. McGuire noted that some patrons are from the nearby Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, which he said was added incentive to get involved.
In addition to the Hanscom volunteers, others from the community volunteer by preparing meals and helping set up and clean up.
According to the organization’s website, the Bedford Community Table/Pantry, Inc. first opened in 1991 after a local family sought to end hunger.
Staff Sgt. Shea E. Townsend, a financial services journeyman for 66 CPTS, recently volunteered his time and enjoyed meeting with veterans.
“The veterans were all especially grateful to have somebody to talk to, and several of them chatted with me for quite some time when it slowed down,” he said. “The work isn’t demanding. It’s as simple as setting up the tables, bringing plates to patrons, picking the plates up and cleaning up after.”
When Joyce Denham, 66 CPTS budget analyst, first heard about McGuire’s search for volunteers, she was eager to get involved.
“I thought how great it was that I would be able to contribute my time here locally to veterans and to the people of Bedford,” Denham said, who volunteered with her daughter, Amanda.
The organization offers volunteer opportunities for adults, teens, families and youth groups.
Master Sgt. Jessica LaBrie, a Hanscom first sergeant who volunteered last month, said this is an example of how junior enlisted members can lead, even when not in leadership positions.
“They can seek out leadership opportunities and lead by example,” she said. “It is so wonderful to see Airman McGuire finding this leadership opportunity of coordinating with the local community food pantry/soup kitchen and organizing a very rewarding volunteer opportunity for himself and his squadron members.”
Those interested in volunteering may contact McGuire at 781-225-1496 or by email at kenneth.mcguire.1@us.af.mil.
“I sometimes forget just how lucky my family is, that we don’t have to worry about where the next meal is going to come from or where we are going to sleep,” he said. “I'm truly grateful for this volunteer opportunity, especially now that I have had the opportunity to speak with guests -- it really puts things in perspective.”