Pierce Ortlieb lives in Grand Rapids where he attends school at Grand Valley State University, but he's spent part of his summer making sure people in Southeastern Michigan can access the food they need.
While interning with FCA this summer, he volunteered with Gleaners Community Food Bank and Forgotten Harvest, making sandwiches and planting broccoli. He also volunteered with United Way's Meet Up and Eat Up summer meals program, helping out at one of our community block parties.
"I really wanted to immerse myself in the surrounding communities and give back as much as I could, because things do not get better unless people help each other out," Pierce said.
He added that serving in the Marine Corps for four years before starting college contributed to his desire to volunteer.
"That really nailed down my trajectory in wanting to give back to people," he said. "We are all in this together."
When he wasn't working or volunteering, Pierce can be found at Comerica park catching a Tigers game.
As a resident of the west side of the state, Pierce is used to watching the team on TV or listening to the radio. He was thrilled to be able to marry his love for this area with his baseball fandom this summer.
"That has been my favorite experience being out here," he said. "Not only going to the games, but if you get the seats in the upper level, you get this beautiful, night time, sun down, clouds in the sky view of the city."
If you're interested in volunteering, find the opportunity that's right for you at UnitedWaySEM.org/volunteer.
