By sharing samples and recipes, Donna Sweeney helps food pantry clients see new possibilities on their plates.
When Donna Sweeney retired, she knew she wanted to spend her newfound time doing something meaningful. Four months ago, that desire led her to the YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center in Davenport, Iowa, where she stopped in and simply asked if there was a way she could help.
There was, and Donna quickly became a regular volunteer in the Empowerment Center’s food pantry. But it didn’t take long for her to find a unique way to take her service a step further.
“I enjoy cooking and sharing recipes, especially with ideas of how to cook in a healthier way,” Donna shared.
Drawing on her love of cooking, Donna began bringing a new kind of energy into the pantry. Two to three times a week, she sets up a small table alongside the pantry shelves and prepares a dish ahead of time using ingredients readily available at the Empowerment Center. As clients shop for groceries, Donna offers samples of her homemade dish and provides recipe cards so they can recreate the meal at home.
Her approach is simple but powerful: show how pantry ingredients can be transformed into nutritious, flavorful meals. The goal isn’t just to provide food, it’s to build confidence, spark ideas, and make healthy cooking feel accessible.
One interaction in particular stands out to Donna.
“I remember a young couple that was done picking up supplies and tasted a sample of the rice with veggies that I had prepared,” she said. “I mentioned that the frozen vegetables available that day would be perfect for this dish. After tasting it, he said, ‘I’m going to make that for dinner tonight,’ and went back and picked up the vegetables and took the recipe with him.”
Moments like that capture the heart of Donna’s impact. Her efforts help bridge the gap between food access and food use, empowering individuals and families with practical skills they can use long after they leave the pantry.
Donna’s presence has quickly become something clients look forward to each day she volunteers.
“Donna brings such a light to the Empowerment Center! Clients always ask if she’s here when they come in, and she truly takes the time to get to know each person who visits,” said Amy Schaefer, Director of the Empowerment Center. “Families love the easy recipes she shares, and once she sent home all of the leftovers with a family for an easy dinner! Her compassion and thoughtfulness shine here every day she spends with us.”
At YWCA Quad Cities, volunteers like Donna are essential to our mission of empowering individuals and strengthening our community. Through her creativity, compassion, and willingness to share her talents, Donna is doing more than volunteering; she’s nourishing both bodies and confidence, one recipe at a time.
For more information about our Empowerment Center, visit here.
