Volunteer Spotlight
Behind every meal we pack for families in Kansas City is someone who chose to make a difference.
Our volunteers are the heart of Pete's Garden. Whether they are packing meals, recovering food, or lending a helping hand wherever it is needed, they make it possible for thousands of Kansas City families to enjoy wholesome, ready to eat meals each year.
At Pete's Garden we are proud to shine a spotlight on one of the incredible people who gives their time, talent, and heart to our mission. Get to know our Volunteer Spotlight who is helping us reduce food waste, feed families, and strengthen our community, one meal at a time.
Mike Goodman
575 Hours of Service - and Counting!
Mike Goodman has been a volunteer since February 2022. At that time, Pete’s Garden had only one staff person: founder and executive director Tamara Weber. Originally part of a rotation of devoted men from the Knights of Columbus at Church of the Ascension, Mike and his friend Dan Tira made the long drive from south Overland Park to New Theatre Restaurant to Pete’s Garden at our original location inside Operation Breakthrough until our move downtown. After a few months rotating with other Knights, Mike became the primary volunteer from the group, making sure donations arrived safely to Pete’s Garden and portioned, packed meals made it to our distribution partner in Shawnee, KS. Mike and Dan recovered thousands of pounds of surplus food over the years, adding Dave Fritz to their team in 2024.
Mike and Dave share their witty banter and sense of humor with staff every Monday while delivering and lifting between 30 and 40 pans onto carts to wheel into the kitchen. Additionally, they continue their commitment to recovering food from their local grocery stores and delivering those to other organizations.
Thank you, Mike, Dan, and Dave, for your dedication to providing food for people who need it. We owe you a ton of gratitude for the tons you deliver to help create more family meals and less food waste!