Mike volunteering last month with Feeding America.

Senior vice president consumer credit sales Mike Kellman is in his third year of volunteering with nationwide nonprofit Feeding America. The organization consists of over 200 food banks that serve more than 40 million Americans in need.

Mike was introduced to Feeding America through Rotary, which he’s been a member of since 2009. “I’d volunteered in other aspects with Rotary Club, but I wanted to participate in food-based charity work given all the hungry people in Milwaukee,” he said. He shared some information about his volunteer experience with Shorelines.

What does volunteering with Feeding America involve for you?
It has been different nearly every time. One time I put labels on label-less green bean cans, another time I sorted bins of food, and this time I packaged similar foods in boxes for shelters and families. I do it twice a year for three hours at a time. It’s not a huge time commitment, but it makes a big difference to Feeding America.

What drew you to this particular volunteering opportunity?
As I mentioned, the food-based aspect was important. And also, long before I got involved, my Rotary Club was instrumental in starting the food bank now known as Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. From the website: “Our story began in 1982 with a bushel of apples and a commitment from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee to help those facing hunger. Today, we serve nearly 400,000 people in 35 counties, including 124,000 children and 41,000 seniors. We are also working to develop innovative solutions to solve hunger.”

What other ways do you volunteer through Rotary?
I have chaired and now serve on the committee that runs a golf outing that funds our scholarship program for Milwaukee youth going to college. We raise around $70,000 each year at the outing.

And are there opportunities for other North Shore Bank employees to volunteer at Feeding America?
For sure! I would be happy to organize a date for North Shore Bank to volunteer. They’re always looking for help.