July Volunteer Spotlight- Lloyd Smith

7/29/25 - Lloyd shows up at least once a week to help sort through food donations to be redistributed in the community.

Every volunteer at Keep Austin Fed brings a unique set of skills and ideas to the organization. Lloyd Smith, our July volunteer of the month, supports Keep Austin Fed’s mission with his dedication, grit, and joyful attitude.

Smith first discovered Keep Austin Fed when he received a free meal on Thanksgiving Day. Allen Schroeder, former Executive Director of Save the Food before merging with Keep Austin Fed, introduced Smith to Keep Austin Fed’s volunteer opportunities. Less than a year later, Smith officially joined as a volunteer.

At least once a week, Smith travels to Keep Austin Fed’s main cooler to sort, process, and distribute the various donations that arrive each day. Smith gets to work as soon as he arrives and continues until everything has been finished, only stopping to crack jokes. “Let me get it done,” said Smith of his attitude. Smith’s help ensures that each of Keep Austin Fed’s recipient partners receive the correct amount of food and that donations are high quality.

For Smith, volunteering provides exercise and the opportunity to engage with others. Most importantly, however, it gives him space to use his giving spirit. Smith views his past and upbringing as crucial to his desire to give back, and describes feeding others as essential to his character. “Who I am is being continued by being a volunteer,” said Smith.

In addition to Keep Austin Fed, Smith has also extended his helping hand to others living in his supportive housing community. When a resident recently moved out and left behind perishable food, Smith used his experience as a volunteer to distribute the surplus food to the building’s residents, providing access to nutrition and keeping food out of the landfill.

Smith says he looks forward to volunteering each week and knowing that his efforts support food access in Austin. He encourages others to give volunteering a chance and to approach opportunities to give back with determination and consistency. “Go and do it,” said Smith. “No matter what’s happening.”