Randy, Elm Court Volunteer
Every Tuesday, Randy Bluffstone takes a break from his work as professor and chairman of the Economics Department at Portland State University to find his way down to Elm Court Loaves & Fishes Center‘s kitchen to help prepare and serve lunch.
“Volunteering provides a balance for me in the middle of a busy work day,” Randy said. “It’s good to stop and do something nice for people.” Randy found Elm Court Loaves & Fishes Center through a MLK Day of Service at PSU. He and his daughter chose to deliver meals to seniors. He is very interested in the issues of hunger and worries about how older people deal with it. He likes the way Elm Court Loaves & Fishes Center welcomes people.
“This place provides a nice meal and doesn’t ask much in return,” he said. “The physical set-up is nice and it creates a community.” Randy has been serving at Elm Court Loaves & Fishes Center for two years. When asked what keeps him coming back, he said it’s the comradery of the Tuesday volunteers – a core group that makes it fun. “Angie treats us well. She strikes a nice balance of giving us direction but also letting us do things we like. She makes us feel useful and that’s important in volunteering.” In his spare time Randy is preparing for a Eugene marathon and he loves to play the guitar.