Ric Martinez is a ‘very special volunteer’ for Wooster Hope Center (video)

When Ric Martinez served as director of admissions for The College of Wooster, he worked with a lot of families who didn’t have to worry about from where their next meal would come. These days, Ric can be found working with a lot of families who need a little help with their next meal. Whether it was working with the College of Wooster families on education or helping local families at the Wooster Hope Center with nutrition, Ric is happy to be serving others and building relationships.

On one recent morning, Ric and some of his friends were serving as “wagon people” at the Greater Wayne County Food Pantry operated by the Wooster Hope Center and its volunteers. Pastor Richard Frazier, the executive director, noted it was a busy morning. As Ric and fellow volunteers had helped 139 families in the first 90 minutes.

“These wagon people really care about the folks,” Ric said.

For the uninitiated, the wagon people are volunteers who pull a yellow wagon around the different stations so families can stock up on some food, usually some kind of fresh produce, milk, yogurt, dry goods, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and other items, to help supplement their grocery shopping.

The clients do not have to worry about lugging the food around the building back to their vehicles; the wagon people take care of it.

Ric retired seven years ago from the college, but he started volunteering with the Wooster Hope Center when they were doing once-a-month food distributions at the Wayne County fairgrounds. He invited some friends, and they have been volunteering ever since.

“I like the camaraderie,” Ric said. He enjoys serving others in the community.

“We make them feel good,” Ric said. He understands it can be difficult and awkward when people need to seek assistance. He and his friends work to foster a friendly atmosphere to remove any awkwardness.
“Our first responsibility is to let them know and understand that coming down here is OK,” Ric said. “We try to brighten their day up and ask how they are doing. We know about their illnesses. We spend a lot of time with them; we get to know them; and they know us.”

The Wooster Hope Center recently purchased the building at 807 Spruce St., Wooster, which houses the Greater Wayne County Food Pantry. Pastor Rich said when they bought the building, one thing he did not think about is how volunteers would continue to help out and build relationships with those in the community seeking the organization’s services.

Ric’s involvement has been beneficial. “Ric is a very special volunteer,” Pastor Rich said. “It’s not just his heart that is in it. He brings his friends, and they come back. He speaks highly of the Wooster Hope Center. We appreciate Ric and all that he has done to help us with the volunteers.”

The Wooster Hope Center is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in joining this rewarding work in serving others in the community, then visit the Wooster Hope Center’s website and send Pastor Rich an email. You can do so by clicking here. You can learn more about the Wooster Hope Center here.