b'Making a Difference When Plaut was at KSDS, the studentsKeith Shapiro, former president were often asked to bring an extraand CEO of Sysco Foodservice of lunch to donate to Manna House.Baltimore, couldnt agree more.When she learned about JewishWhen he first retired six years ago,Volunteer Connections Buncheshe immediately began to volunteer.of Lunches program, she knew sheHe drove people to doctors wanted to continue this tradition.appointments through the Jewish Every Monday, Plaut transportsCommunity Services (JCS) Mobile hundreds of lunches, made byMitzvah program. He became volunteers, to Alexander andinvolved with the JCC, an organization Alexander and Associates, Inc. whichhe embraced after the positive distributes them to communityexperiences his four children had members. Not only is she helpingthrough the JCCs Maccabi Games.address food insecurity, in theCommitted to the organization, process, she has cultivated a reallyhe now serves on the JCC Board, special friendship with her contactchairing many of their programs and Carmen Alexander.he recently took on an additional role Keith Shapiro became more involved with As Carmen and I got to know oneas its treasurer. His association withthe JCC upon retirement.another through our weekly visits,the JCC has also spurred new and we began to communicate a bitwonderful friendships.old, raising kids on Social Security. about our common concerns for ourI began to realize there was anThey are doing whatever it takes to community. We share a commonafter-life, he says. make it and they are so appreciative purposehelping to assist, evenShapiro also began utilizing the of what we are doing, he says. in a small way, in improving the lotskills he developed over a long andWhen asked about his advice to of the residents of our city and theproductive career in food services tofuture retirees, he says, If you enjoyed wider community, Plaut says.make a difference. Not only does hewhat you did in your career, harness Finding a way to combine theserve on the board of the Marylandthose skills in a new capacity, because aspects of the work and skills oneFood Bank and donates time to Greatthere is definitely a need for you. If enjoyed over a career with somethingKids Farm, but he is also a boardyou were a lawyer, an accountant, in new is a piece of advice she wouldmember and volunteers regularly atthe health-care arena, I can guarantee give someone thinking of retiring. the Community Assistance Network,there are ways you can use your which operates the largest foodskills to make a difference in this pantry in Baltimore County.community. Youll have all this extraThree times a week, Shapiro goesYoull have all this extra time that to the food pantry, packing foodyou never had before, Plaut adds.time that you never had before. boxes, distributing food and gettingSo think about how you want to fill So think about your values .to know the many people who passit. Think about your values and what and how you want to fill it. through there. He is even helping itwill bring meaning to your life.transition to a grocery store model.RITA PLAUT There are people who are 70 years associated.org 19'