Profile: Isaac, 22, Student Volunteer

My name is Isaac Tan and I just started volunteering at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank this summer. I have spent four years in Champaign-Urbana, attending the University of Illinois. My majors are Chemistry and English Literature. I've learned a lot while attending university, but I must admit I've learned the most in the community while serving and meeting new people.

I came to the Foodbank looking for a way to volunteer and when I arrived, I immediately learned about the different issues facing the health and wellness of Illinois and the country. I was shocked by the large rates of unemployment and hunger, problems not necessarily visible inside the bubble of university life, affecting scores of people. They put me to work at the Foodbank because, I realized, there was much work to be done.

For now, my perspective is an outsider's perspective. I have not worked to alleviate hunger for long, but I feel the duty to serve my community. It keeps me writing and attending events. I know it is not easy to survive when times are tough and when work is hard and long. But I do know that a little bit of public service makes a tremendous difference for the common good.

I am a 22 year old community servant and I will be contributing on this blog. Please keep reading!