Hopewell Junction native Linda Hunt has dedicated much of her life to helping others and bettering her community. She’s a Eucharistic minister, regularly volunteering at four organizations and dedicating countless hours at charities attached to her parish, St. Columba Church.
For more than 20 years, Hunt has been a loyal volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, (SVDP) working to distribute food and supplies to families that are struggling. “I answer the calls on our hotline, and understand people’s needs. I meet with them the first time to provide food and address any other concerns. I coordinate the assignment of the clients with a SVDP member. I handle many clients myself on a monthly basis to provide food and any other assistance we can provide,” said Hunt.
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On top of her commitment to the the food pantry, Hunt also works with her parish’s Youth Ministry, the “God Squad,” the Columbiettes, and is an active member of the Altar Rosary Society. “I chose these organizations because they all help people and families of all types, she said. “Each organization is unique.”
When Hunt gets some free time, she also enjoys taking part in Midnight Runs, a volunteer organization that brings toiletries, bottled water, and soup and sandwiches to homeless people in Manhattan. Each person receives a package containing a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and for men, a razor and shaving cream — essentials that everyone needs. As the name implies, these midnight runs usually begin in the early evening and end around 2 a.m.
Hunt also coordinates seasonal drives such as a coat drive, a back-to-school drive that collects school supplies for children in need, and food basket collections around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. In fact, Hunt says that between shopping for her family and maintaining her hectic volunteer schedule, the holidays are usually the hardest of the year. “God helps me manage to get everything done,” she said. “My interest is in helping anyone in need, and I will do anything I can.”
Meet more of our local heroes—and nominate your own—at www.hvmag.com/hvhero.
