Volunteer Spotlight: Alexander Tavares

Even among the 7,500 volunteers who generously gave their time at GBFB last year, some individuals just stand out.

Alex Tavares, 31, of East Boston, is one. Tavares, first introduced to GBFB in 2019, has become one of our go-to volunteers, says Patrick Monfort, GBFB’s Senior Manager of Community Engagement.

If a volunteer shift or group cancels at the last minute, Monfort explains, “Alex just jumps in and signs up for the shift, which has saved us on many, many occasions. He knows how the shift works and he can help train the other volunteers.”

“Seeing the amount of work GBFB does and knowing it has a huge impact—it’s nice to be part of that.” – Alex

He can, implies Monfort, do just about anything.

As a pilot for JetBlue who is on call with 12 hours’ notice, Alex’s schedule requires flexibility. Typically, you can find him at the food bank two or three days a week. There are weeks he cannot make it at all due to his schedule; at other times, he will be working shifts in the warehouse for five straight days.

After every volunteer shift, GBFB staff will share with the volunteers the number of families that we will feed because of their work that day. “I love that,” Alex says. “Seeing the amount of work GBFB does and knowing it has a huge impact—it’s nice to be part of that.”