Karen is one of those people who seems to live through volunteering. She first came to Food Not Bombs Hobart to help, cooking and pitching in wherever she was needed. Before long, we discovered another of her gifts: people simply like talking with Karen.

That connection has grown into something of its own. Around the Really Free Market, Karen runs a free clothes and supplies shop where everything is available without charge. She talks with people, finds out what they need, helps them choose what is useful, and makes the whole experience feel natural and welcoming. We had tried distributing clothes for years, but never quite found a way to make it work. Karen did.

Her volunteering doesn’t stop at Food Not Bombs. Karen is deeply involved in her Kingston community and volunteers at the neighbourhood house, including looking after its garden. She is constantly finding ways to put things to use and connect people with what they need.

She’s also someone we can rely on when we have more than we can distribute ourselves. We only have to ask. Karen will often say, “I can take it to my other volunteering site,” and off it goes—food, clothes, supplies or whatever else can be useful.

Karen has a remarkable ability to connect people, places and resources. She doesn’t need a big system around her. She simply sees what is needed, knows where it can go, and makes the connection.