Over the summer, Alice Roussel searched for opportunities in South Denver where she could volunteer with her teenage daughters. “It’s a little tricky to find volunteer opportunities where minors can participate,” she recalls, “so it was really nice that we found something that was not too far from home.” Alice’s girls, Nia (age 14) and Simone (age 12), are no strangers to service; they volunteer with their grandmother in Louisiana when visiting family around Thanksgiving. It’s become an annual tradition to help out at a food distribution – much like IFCS’ Fresh Thanks event. Since they all enjoy that experience, Alice felt that volunteering in their own community would be a way to extend their service throughout the year.
Alice volunteers regularly with food deliveries at IFCS, unloading the truck filled with pallets shipped from Food Bank of the Rockies, then stocking the shelves at IFCS’ Market. “That’s how I get my workout in,” she chuckles. When her daughters can join her, in the summer months, they help guide shoppers through the Market, selecting from the available food options.
Initially, both Nia and Simone felt unsure about what would happen during their volunteer shift, but they easily caught on and learned the system of codes indicating how many of an item each person may take, based on household size. “All the other volunteers and [the shoppers] were so nice. And it just felt so good to help them,” Nia explains. “With the cards, and the symbols of how big the family is… I could [accompany a shopper] without someone helping me the entire time, even on my first day as a volunteer.”
During quiet times in the market, the girls help with side projects such as chipping away ice that builds up in the freezers or organizing the canned foods for the “2028 and Beyond” shelf (items with expiration dates far into the future). “It feels really good to know that every time you volunteer, you’re helping a family… and I’m helping kids my age,” Simone says.
Nia is a freshman at East High School and Simone attends Denver Language School, a K-8 charter school where both girls learned Mandarin. When school is in session, their class schedules prevent them from volunteering at IFCS with their mom. Still, they find ways to contribute from home: this fall, Nia and Simone assembled goodie bags that include activity books and snacks for children who visit IFCS with their parents. They also prepared some holiday tree tags advertising Helping Hands for the Holidays Sponsorship.
The benefits of volunteering are mutual for the Roussel family: helping in the Market @ IFCS has caused them to reflect on “how grateful we are for all that we have, and how we can use that to help other people,” Nia and Simone agree. They recall some of the memorable shoppers they’ve met, including some repeat customers.
Watching her daughters grow through service has been the most rewarding part for Alice. “I’m always very proud of them,” she said. “My husband and I do a lot of volunteer work for [the girls’ activities and sports],” she shares, “but they generally don’t have an opportunity to work alongside us, so it’s nice for them to step up and be a little independent… interacting with members of the community.”
By integrating service into their family life, the Roussels are nourishing lives and building a stronger community – and a legacy of empathy for the next generation.
Thank you Alice, Nia, and Simone for giving your time and service at IFCS and allowing us to feature you in our blog. Your kindness and contributions make the Market a warmer, more welcoming place for everyone!
Learn more about IFCS’ PROGRAMS & SERVICES and ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
Learn more about investing in local food support as a volunteer with the IFCS VOLUNTEER CORE.
DONATE to expand compassion in the community through IFCS, or learn about MORE WAYS TO GIVE.
