For more than a
decade, volunteers on Monday mornings at Feed the Hungry San Miguel have been
greeted by a familiar face: Jonna Stratton.
Many of our volunteers, donors, and longtime supporters will also
remember her late husband, Raymond Fairchild. Together, they became a beloved
part of the Feed the Hungry family, sharing a commitment to service and helping
strengthen the spirit of community that continues to define our organization
today.
Their journey began with a simple invitation from a friend. “Why don’t you come with me one day to deliver food for Feed the Hungry? It’s lots of fun,” a friend suggested.
New to San Miguel de Allende at the time, neither Jonna nor Raymond knew much about Feed the Hungry. Curiously, they decided to give it a try. “We got recruited,” Jonna laughs. “My husband drove and I rode shotgun.”
What started as a single day of volunteering soon became a meaningful part of their lives. More than ten years later, Jonna continues to play a vital role in the mission, helping ensure that thousands of children receive nutritious meals every school day.
Interestingly, it wasn't the organization itself that first drew her in. What captivated her was the opportunity to leave the city, visit rural communities, and better understand the lives of the children we serve. “I wanted to see the campo and see where and how the children we serve lived,” she recalls.
Today, Jonna serves as Volunteer Packing Coordinator, ensuring that every Monday's packing operation runs smoothly. Her responsibilities range from communicating with volunteers and organizing transportation for those who need it, to providing training, sharing updates on new procedures, and serving as a liaison between warehouse staff and volunteers. One thing she never accepts is an obstacle to participating. “If someone wants to help but doesn't have transportation, we'll find a way,” she says.
Yet when asked what keeps her coming back week after week, her answer has little to do with logistics. “The camaraderie of the volunteers,” she says without hesitation. “People work together, help one another, and make newcomers feel welcome. No one is afraid to ask for help, and no one hesitates to give it.” That sense of teamwork has been a constant throughout the years, even as the program has grown dramatically.
One of Jonna's favorite memories dates back to her first days helping with food packing. What began with a handful of volunteers, a few ingredients, and a very surprised volunteer confronted with piles of raw chicken, has evolved into a well-organized operation supported by more than 20 dedicated individuals of all ages who pack truckloads of food that arrives at the warehouse each Monday. She has witnessed firsthand the growth of the Feed the Hungry programs, from the increasing number of schools receiving meals to the expanding variety and quantity of nutritious foods delivered to children throughout the region.
Another standout memory came during “March Magic”, when Jonna coordinated an intensive weeklong visit for donors and prospective supporters from the United States. From accommodations and transportation to school visits, meals, and community events, every detail was carefully planned. “It was one of the most exciting, rewarding, exhausting, fulfilling, and successful experiences I've had with Feed the Hungry,” she says.
Jonna also coordinates volunteers to stuff envelopes for fund raising drives and to staff special events, and organizes the annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and awards ceremony.
For visitors and first-time volunteers, what often leaves the biggest impression is not what happens behind the scenes, but how quickly and efficiently the team works together. “They're always amazed by how fast the volunteers can get the job done,” she says.
For Jonna, volunteering is ultimately about
being part of something bigger than herself. “I am proud to be part of a wonderful team,” she
says. “And proud to be part of providing better food, and perhaps, for many
children, a better life.”
Thanks to dedicated volunteers like Jonna, and to the legacy of service she and Raymond helped build, thousands of children continue to receive the nutritious meals they need every school day.