Chris Verbeten volunteers at the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center. She was born in Appleton and graduated from Kimberly High School.
Verbeten worked at Community First Credit Union for eight years and the city of Appleton for five years as a computer programmer. She was a programmer at R.R. Donnelly for 10 years before she retired two years ago. She lives in Keshena with her husband of 30 years, Daniel, who is also retired. They have a son. The couple likes to take motorcycle and boat rides.
Verbeten belongs to Hope Community Church in Shawano, where she helps whenever they need her. She also goes to the Strong Bones class at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano. “It’s been a life changer for me. I have so much more energy,” she said.
Q How long have you volunteered at SAFPARC?
A “It’s been a little over two years.”
Q What do you do?
A “I work at the front desk on Thursdays and fill in other days as needed.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I love helping people, especially those in need. I learned to be generous and loving because I have a generous and loving family always helping those in need. My mom has volunteered for 15 years at the food pantry in Menasha, and she‘s still there to this day.”
Q Why do you think the food pantry is important?
A “Because there are many people out there who don’t have the means to put food on their table. I see it every week. We help them in a little way to stretch their money. This is one way to help them out of poverty. I’ve been taught if there’s somebody who has a need and I have the means to help them, I’ve always been there to help.”
Q Do you volunteer anywhere else?
A “I’ve been involved with Shawano Area Matthew 25 for over a year. I helped organize the poverty simulation. I help at bake sales. Right now I’m on the community clinic planning group hoping to provide dental and medical assistance. All the groups get together in a large group and discuss what they came up with. It’s a really good group, and I’m glad to be part of it.”
