If you’ve spent any time at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, chances are you’ve met Marcia Holden. Whether she’s helping partner organization shoppers in the Food Connections Market, lending a hand in the Warehouse, or greeting everyone she passes with a smile, Marcia has become a beloved part of our volunteer family.
Marcia first joined the Food Bank in the summer of 2018 as a volunteer in the Food Connections Office. There, she answered phones and welcomed neighbors seeking food assistance, helping connect first-time participants with resources and even assisting with CalFresh applications.
“Marcia always took the extra effort to help folks looking to get connected to our services for the first time,” shares Maria Fuentes, Every Child, Every Day Manager at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. “She was a welcoming face who helped take some of the pressure off accessing our services.”
But Marcia’s commitment to serving others began long before she arrived at the Food Bank.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Marcia served for 25 years as a nurse before earning her master’s degree and becoming a nurse practitioner. During her military years, she and her husband experienced a devastating house fire that destroyed everything they owned. What happened next left a lasting impression.
“People came out of the woodwork to help us,” Marcia recalls. “It was astounding. Community came through for us...so that’s why we give back.”
Neighbors, coworkers, and strangers stepped in with furniture, clothing, financial support, and supplies for their two young sons. That outpouring of generosity inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), Marcia faced new challenges. While some opportunities became harder to pursue, she remained determined to stay active and continue serving her community.
“I can’t just sit down and let MS get me,” she says. “I have to be proactive and help people.”
That determination shines through in everything she does. In addition to volunteering at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Marcia likes to keep busy. She supports her granddaughters’ schools, collects food donations from neighbors, and regularly encourages others to get involved. By sharing her passion for the Food Bank with friends, neighbors, and fellow gym members, she has inspired a few community food drives that resulted in several barrels of donated food.
Her passion for serving others extends beyond volunteering. As Maria Fuentes notes, Marcia is a deeply engaged community member who continues to support organizations in need. She is also continually learning Spanish because she values being able to communicate with all participants and believes everyone deserves to feel welcome and understood.
“I really love everyone I volunteer with,” she says. “I like to share and be part of the family. It means a lot to me to volunteer here.”
We’re grateful for Marcia’s years of service, her welcoming spirit, and the compassion she brings to every shift. Thank you, Marcia, for reminding us that kindness is contagious—and that when one person chooses to give back, they can inspire an entire community to do the same.
Love our Volunteer Voices stories? We want to hear yours! Share your favorite Redwood Empire Food Bank memory, a heartwarming volunteer moment, or even just a short quote that captures your experience. Big or small, your story matters—and we can’t wait to celebrate it! Reach out to Katie at kdelsanto@refb.org for more information.
