Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Striker

Turning Compassion into
Action in Fight Against Food Uncertainty

For more than 30 years, Laura Striker saw the reality of students facing food hardship in her classroom.

As a dedicated teacher, she quickly realized some of her students weren’t just struggling with their schoolwork; they were struggling with hunger. Striker wanted to help in any way she could. She started bringing granola bars to school, quietly handing them out to kids who needed a little extra nourishment. What started as a small, thoughtful gesture became a deeper awareness of how widespread food insecurity was in her community.

In 2022, Striker decided to take her passion for helping others even further by joining the volunteer team at La Soupe. These days, she’s involved in all kinds of efforts—prepping Nourish meals, helping with the Give A Crock classes, and delivering food to Rescue partners.

"I have enjoyed getting to know the staff at La Soupe," Striker shared. "Everyone is welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. It’s been inspiring to work alongside such a dedicated group of people who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others."

Through her time at La Soupe, Striker has learned a lot about food rescue—how perfectly good food that might have gone to waste can instead be transformed into nutritious meals for those in need. She’s been especially impressed by the creativity of the chef team, who turn surplus ingredients into beautiful, restaurant-quality meals.

"I’ve learned so much more about food rescue since joining La Soupe as a volunteer. I love how everything is used, and the creativity of the chef team is amazing. The Nourish meals are not only nutritious, but they’re also visually stunning. I’m sure the recipients enjoy them immensely," she said.

Her experience at La Soupe has only strengthened her commitment to fighting hunger, especially for children. She often thinks about the kids who don’t have consistent access to food—whether it’s during school breaks, on weekends, or when unexpected weather shuts things down.

"But La Soupe and other nonprofit organizations have stepped up to provide food to families in these situations, and that gives me hope,” she said. “I’m grateful for all that they do."

Striker’s story is proof that small actions can lead to big change. What started with handing out granola bars in her classroom has grown into a larger mission—one that’s helping to fight food insecurity in meaningful, impactful ways. Her work with La Soupe allows her to combine compassion with action while learning about the innovative ways food waste can be repurposed to feed those in need.

It’s volunteers like Striker—people who bring both heart and hands-on effort—who make a real difference in the fight against hunger. Her journey is a powerful reminder that we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry when we come together.