My Nonprofit Reviews

If you ever have the pleasure to volunteer at CUMAC, the people will forever change you. CUMAC is more than just a food pantry; they are a community of passionate, empathetic, and kind people who love what they do and strive not just to give food but also to educate, empower, and lift the communities around them. The core of CUMAC isn't just food but food justice and the intersections of race, poverty, justice, healing, and reconciliation. Staff members like Kayann educate their volunteers on ACEs to help others understand the trauma underneath people in poverty, changing the language, understanding, and culture around food justice. This is integral to their beliefs because, at CUMAC, it's not just about feeding people; it's about ending injustice and educating others on how we have played a part in this system and how we can end this unfair system. Often, you will hear Mark, the director, say that if we give food and collect food and see people like numbers, we are not genuinely feeding and empowering them but merely accentuating the problem. CUMAC is at the forefront of food justice as they are innovating the space to be more than food but the whole process, whether that's hiring and educating the workers from the neighborhood, paying livable wages, and teaching volunteers about ethical volunteering. When you first walk into CUMAC, you will meet Afton, a bright, energetic, friendly staff member who will be with you every step of the way, guiding you and helping you with the whole process whether you are a volunteer or someone in need of help. You will like I have instantly felt like you are a part of the CUMAC family because what they do indeed is what a family does take care of each other.