Meet Doug Maynard, Community Food Market Volunteer

On a typical Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, Doug Maynard, an Upper Valley Haven volunteer, can be found in the Community Food Market, greeting guests, stocking shelves, and sharing a laugh when the moment feels right. He has been volunteering at the Upper Valley Haven for just over a year, but his presence already feels like part of the fabric of the space.

Doug first came to the Haven looking for a way to give back that involved real connection. After years of volunteering elsewhere, he knew he wanted something more personal, something rooted in conversation and community. The Food Market turned out to be the right fit.

“Until you see it every day, you don’t fully understand,” Doug says. “You wake up with a roof over your head, turn on the lights, run the water. You realize how much you take for granted.”

As a volunteer, Doug helps guests shop, restocks shelves, and keeps the market running smoothly. But for him, the heart of the experience is the people. Some guests are chatty and quick to laugh. Others prefer quiet. Doug takes his cues from each person, always leading with respect.

“There are folks who say thank you for every single item they put in their bag,” he says. “At first, I’d tell them they didn’t need to do that. Then I realized, they really mean it. So I just let them say it.”

Doug has seen firsthand how donor support shapes the Food Market. Because of that support, guests can choose fresh produce, dairy, protein, and staples in a space that feels welcoming and dignified. It is not just about food. It is about choice, stability, and being treated with care.

“Until you see it every day, you don’t fully understand.”

One moment that stayed with him came the day after Thanksgiving, when two guests asked if they could give him a hug at the end of their visit. “How sweet is that?” he says. “It stays with you.”

Doug also gives financially to the Haven, both personally and through community groups he is involved with. He sees volunteering and donating as part of the same commitment. “Everybody who supports this place is making a difference,” he says. “And I’m lucky to be in a position where I can do that.”

Because of donor support, volunteers like Doug can focus on what matters most: showing up, listening, and helping ensure that no one has to navigate food insecurity alone. If you’d like to help sustain the Community Food Market, you can make a gift here.