Norm Hewitt is one the most long-standing, hard working volunteers at the Food Bank. And he remembers the exact date of his arrival, August 1, 1990,18 years ago! In fact, the Food Bank had moved into its present distribution center (in the Ft. Custer Industrial Park) less than 10 months before Norm arrived on the scene.

He'd been retired about six months from Consumers Energy when a former son-in-law suggested that Norm check out the Food Bank.

“I began by helping to fill agency food orders 2-3 days a week,” says Norm. “I worked with Owen (Van Winkle another Food Bank volunteer).”

Eventually Norm switched to helping break down bulk donations of liquid laundry detergent, and then, most recently began to restock the Food Bank's “assorted dry” section, where agencies can pick up odds and ends of products. Typically this section of the Food Bank appeals to agencies that might not need an entire case of a particular food item.

Norm works on this project with his cousin, Jim McDermid. It was Norm who encouraged Jim to volunteer at the Food Bank, keeping it in the family. “I talked to Jim during a family reunion about the Food Bank and he decided to come in.”

The family volunteer connection doesn't stop there either. Norm's daughter, Theresa heads up Consumers Energy/Utility Workers Union of America Local 106's participation in the Canned Sculpture Exhibit each year, with help from her husband, Steve Bassett.

What keeps Norm on-the-job? “When I think about the Food Bank, I think about all the hungry people it serves,” says Norm. “Especially kids.”

Having a ready, warm smile, Norm is a natural about spreading the word about the place where he volunteers. “I talk about the Food Bank all the time. You'd be surprised. Especially when I have my (Food Bank) t-shirt on. It's a real pleasure to volunteer out here!”

The Food Bank of South Central Michigan is a United Way Program Delivery Partner, and a member of America's Second Harvest The Nation's Food Bank Network, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

If you'd like to volunteer at the Food Bank, or would like more information, call 964-3663.

photo cutline: Norm Hewitt, at work stocking shelves at the Food Bank.