Today we’d like to introduce you to May.
Hi May, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been philanthropic at heart. Since high school, I have volunteered with local nonprofits and have always felt a deep passion for giving back to my community.
For more than 15 years, I worked as an educator. Even while teaching, I continued to stay connected to nonprofit work by volunteering with local organizations during my summers. Over time, I realized that I wanted to transition from education into the nonprofit sector full-time.
When I was introduced to So What Else, I immediately fell in love with the program and the incredible impact it was making in the community. I immersed myself in learning everything I could about the organization and its mission. After a few months of getting to know the team and seeing firsthand the meaningful work being done, I was hired as the W Director.
In that role, I wore many different hats and gained experience across many areas of the organization. Over the years, my path naturally evolved, and I found my passion in community outreach and partnerships. While I’ve focused my work in that area, I’ve also been fortunate to experience many different roles within So What Else, which has allowed me to better understand the organization and contribute in meaningful ways.
Today, I’m proud to continue supporting the mission of So What Else by building relationships, strengthening partnerships, and helping expand the organization’s impact in the community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working in the nonprofit space is incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. One of the biggest is balancing the growing needs of the community with limited time and resources.
In my role, I’ve often worn multiple hats depending on what the organization needed at the time. While that can be demanding, it has helped me grow and better understand the many parts of the organization.
Building strong community partnerships can also take time and persistence, but those relationships are essential to expanding our impact. Despite the challenges, the work continues to be incredibly meaningful and motivating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At So What Else, our work is rooted in meeting immediate needs while building long-term solutions for the communities we serve. At So What Else, our work is centered on both immediate impact and long-term community building. In my role leading Community Outreach and Partnerships, I focus on building and strengthening relationships with schools, businesses, and local organizations to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
We specialize in large-scale food rescue and distribution, youth programming, and creating meaningful volunteer experiences. What we’re known for is not just the volume of meals we provide, but the way we engage the community in that mission. We create spaces where people don’t just volunteer—they feel connected, valued, and part of something bigger.
What I’m most proud of is the scale and consistency of our impact. Serving thousands of families each quarter and mobilizing thousands of volunteers takes a tremendous amount of coordination, but it’s the relationships behind that work that matter most. Seeing students, families, and partners grow with us and continue to show up, is incredibly rewarding.
What sets us apart is our ability to combine efficiency with heart. We move millions of meals, but we never lose sight of the individuals we’re serving. At the same time, we prioritize the volunteer experience just as much as the outcome, because we know that building a strong, engaged community is what makes our work sustainable and impactful long-term.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me, collaborate with me, or support me by reaching out through email or signing up to volunteer. Anyone interested can email mnash@sowhatelse.org to connect directly. People can also sign up to volunteer through the Volunteer Hub at https://sowhatelse.volunteerhub.com/vv2/ or email volunteer@sowhatelse.org to learn more about opportunities to get involved.
Pricing:
- $200 – Feeds 1 person for a year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sowhatelse.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sowhatelsehelps?igsh=MWYxY3FnMmYzdjJwag==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoWhatElseHelps/
- LinkedIn: https://www.facebook.com/SoWhatElseHelps/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sowhatelsehelps
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sowhatelsefoodrescuebank?lang=en
