Volunteer Spotlight - Christina Raymond

8/22/25 - Christina takes donated food from Sprouts on South Lamar to her new friends at Western Trails every Friday morning.

After three months with Keep Austin Fed, Christina Raymond has developed a soft spot for delivering food to Western Trails Apartments. The affordable housing complex for older adults receives surplus food from Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market every Friday. When the donations arrive, residents are already lined up in the lobby, waiting to help move the boxes of food to the complex’s community center. 

Christina traces her affinity for seniors back to her grandmother, who recently celebrated her 96th birthday. “The relationship that I have had with her from such a young age piqued my interest in working with senior citizens,” she says. “I enjoy playing cards… and hearing about their lives since they’ve lived through so much history and have so many great stories. I just really enjoy getting their perspective on life.”  

In addition to swapping stories, Christina is also committed to ensuring that all seniors have access to nutritious food. She is passionate about social issues and sees food access as critical to the well-being of individuals and communities. “I feel like nutritious food is a necessity and a human right that everyone should have access to, so it’s something that’s near and dear to me.”

Since joining Keep Austin Fed in early May, Christina has been able to combine her passion for food access and her desire to work with seniors. She first heard about the organization through a member of her church and was drawn to the opportunity to drive positive change in the community.

As a volunteer, Christina has completed a variety of food rescues benefitting affordable housing complexes for seniors, nonprofits, and community giveaways. She has also used the opportunity to introduce her young daughter to volunteering and teach her about the world around her. “I’ve brought her along, and it’s been an opportunity to empower her to make a difference and for her to discover her interests and build self-esteem,” said Raymond. “So, it’s been going wonderfully.”

In addition to helping others, Christina shares that her time with Keep Austin Fed has also been personally fulfilling. “[Volunteering] really helps your own self-esteem and how you feel about yourself and your mental health. Any time that you have to offer is always valuable and appreciated.”