Volunteer Voices: Marcia Miller on Finding Purpose, Connection, and Community at So What Else
When longtime Montgomery County resident Marcia Miller retired in 2019, she planned to spend her days volunteering and enjoying time with family. But like so many, her plans were put on pause when the pandemic hit. A few years later, a conversation with a cousin led her to So What Else, and she’s been a dedicated volunteer ever since.
In her blog series, Marcia shares heartfelt reflections on what she’s learned through her time at So What Else, from the surprising depth of need in one of Maryland’s wealthiest counties, to the joy of serving others and building community.
She writes about the everyday heroes who make So What Else run: the staff who keep operations going, and the volunteers (including kids and families) who sort clothes, fill grocery bags, and deliver food with compassion and care.
Marcia’s background as a listener and storyteller shines through in every post. Whether she’s recalling her early days working in cosmetics and government, or describing the emotional moments she shares with clients – like a man moved to tears after receiving his first full cart of food – her words remind us of the power of empathy and connection.
Recently, Marcia has even taken on a new challenge: learning Spanish so she can better communicate with the diverse families who visit the food bank. “We speak many languages at So What Else,” she writes. “But most of all, we speak love.”
Marcia’s stories beautifully capture what So What Else is all about – community, kindness, and meeting people where they are.
Read more of Marcia’s reflections below and follow her blog – linked here
Marcia Miller’s First Blog Post:
Did you know that Montgomery County is the 3rd richest in the state of Maryland? Did you know that Montgomery County has a lot of residents who are hungry? How is this possible? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I do know that #SoWhatElse knows how to help.
