By volunteering at the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, Registered Dietitian Ashley Thompson loves that she can give back to the community in the area where she is particularly qualified.
“I started volunteering at BEAM as a college student. It was a requirement during my undergraduate program, and I am so thankful it was! Through my volunteer experiences as a student, I was able to meet individuals and families and hear the stories about how they are affected by food insecurity.
“Now that I have graduated, I have the privilege to volunteer at BEAM, where I can use my skills to help those same people. As a registered dietitian, I counsel and educate BEAM clients on managing their diet to help control certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Through the food pantry at BEAM, I am able to provide them with the food they need so they will be able to implement what we have discussed and food insecurity is no longer a barrier to their success!” Thompson said.