Honoring Those Who Step Up, Serve, and Lead

These honorees are among the many dedicated volunteers helping shape this small revolution of kindness through their service and leadership every day.

Sameer and Gayatri Senapati began volunteering with Common Heart alongside their daughter, Samiksha, when she was just 14. As our medically necessary diets program took shape, Gayatri and Samiksha helped build it – offering feedback, refining processes, and helping ensure families received the right food with care and attention to their specific dietary needs.

Samiksha has since gone off to college, but Gayatri still carefully packs each dietary box with the neighbor in mind. Sameer is a steady leader – setting the tone, mentoring volunteers, stepping in wherever needed, and providing guidance.

Together, they are catalysts of kindness at both the Common Cupboard and Union UMC pantry. The Senapatis embody Love in Action – volunteers who not only serve, but step forward to strengthen the work and help others serve well.

John Trubinsky and his family came to Common Heart together. John, Lori, Josh, and Elijah began as Cupboard Allies, making monthly deliveries, then added Saturday mornings packing food. Even as the boys went off to college and into their careers, serving together remains part of their family rhythm.

John’s own service kept expanding. When an advisory group was formed, he stepped up. After attending a Poverty Simulation and learning more about Getting Ahead, he joined Thrive! Union and became one of our first Empowerment Allies. Across every role, John listens, offers thoughtful feedback, and speaks up for the neighbors we serve.

The Trubinsky family embodies Love in Action – a family tradition of serving behind the scenes, stepping up when needed, and supporting and advocating for others.

Max and Denise Arenas first connected with Common Heart six years ago through Great Turkey Countdown deliveries. Since then, each has given more than 1,200 volunteer hours, becoming a steady presence in the life of the Common Cupboard.

Today, they are core members of our Wednesday and Friday morning teams. Max drives the Can-Do Cruiser for grocery rescue pickups and steps in wherever needed. Denise helps new volunteers learn the Cupboard and find their place on the team.

They are two of the many familiar faces who give the Cupboard warehouse its heart and personality. Max and Denise embody Love in Action – showing how faithful, joyful service can welcome people in, help them find their place, and turn volunteering into community.

Brenda Stevens first came to Common Heart as a neighbor attending our food pantries and then as an Investigator in Getting Ahead, later completing our Emergency Savings Incentive Plan. But her story did not stop with her own stability and growth. Brenda embraced the mission and began helping carry it forward.

Today, she co-facilitates Getting Ahead, recruits participants, assists with childcare, and steps in wherever needed – always with joy and encouragement. Her daughter, Miracle, is often right beside her serving too.

A retired teacher, Brenda also helps lead our Union Academy partnership – teaching fourth graders about food insecurity and helping them see how they can make a difference. Brenda embodies Love in Action – taking up the cause herself and inviting others, including the next generation, to find their place in it.