Erwin “Scott” Davenport is a man on a mission. He is the Demo Team Member and Special Events Coordinator at the Whole Foods on Waverly Place in Cary. He is also the Co-Chair of the Time Team at the store. And it is his goal to ensure that the associates who volunteer for various community outreach projects a) enjoy themselves, b) get something meaningful from the experience, and c) give generously of their time and talent to the organizations for which they are volunteering. Scott has a pretty good track record on all three counts, and it is for this reason that his Time Team is one of the most active of all the surrounding stores. The Whole Foods associates truly embrace the volunteering experience, according to Scott. “Some of these folks have never been involved with giving of themselves, and they come back totally overwhelmed—completely in the zone.”
Luckily for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Scott Davenport has directed much of the Time Team’s efforts toward Food Shuttle programs. “We’ve helped with BackPack Buddies, and Grocery Bags for Seniors in Durham. Now we’re planning to go to Camden Street Learning Garden.”
The impetus for the Camden Street Learning Garden volunteer service day is the 2019 Whole Cities Foundation grant that Scott helped secure for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and the Camden Street garden. Whole Foods manages the Foundation’s funds for grants and the selection process. There are over 50 Whole Cities grants made each year across the country. Scott’s commitment to the Food Shuttle’s work to end hunger inspired him to nominate the organization for the grant and to be instrumental in securing the $5,000 in funding. “Very few stores get grants two years consecutively. We got the grant in 2018 for a program in Durham and then this one for the Food Shuttle came through in 2019 much to my surprise.”
Looking forward, after the Camden service day, Scott plans to schedule a volunteer experience at the Food Shuttle Farm. It’s right down the road from the Whole Foods store and it promises to satisfy his three-point goal for all Time Team efforts. “Every time we’ve something for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, it’s been extremely positive,” says Scott.
Interested in volunteering at Camden Street Learning Garden or any other Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Program? Visit our website to learn more about all the volunteer opportunities available for groups or individuals.