Volunteer Spotlight: Carter R.

During the height of the pandemic last May, Carter Rutherford started volunteering at Boca Helping Hands with his younger brother, Quinn, and his mother, Susan. His family had recently moved to Delray Beach, and he and Quinn wanted to give back to the community while they were home from college for the summer.

A then-sophomore majoring in geography and Asian studies at Macalester College in Minnesota, Carter reached out to us in October about conducting a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping project for internship credit during his winter break. Building on his BHH experience conducting new client intake, Carter analyzed data to create a digital layered map that revealed local food deserts, key insights about our Pantry Program clients, and potential gaps in service. He then presented his findings to our Board of Directors during our strategic planning process, which helped us make informed decisions about where to expand our services. We thank him for his initiative – and the creative way he utilized his unique expertise to benefit our organization!