Meet Hanna Abebe, Inaugural Recipient of the Joe Horning Helping Hands Award

Building Community, One Smile at a Time

This year’s recipient, Hanna Abebe, has shown unwavering dedication through her volunteer work at Martha’s Table. Whether distributing healthy groceries or supporting young learners, Hanna brings kindness, energy, and a deep sense of care to everything she does.

Hanna only began volunteering about eight months ago and has already logged 165 hours of community service. Her journey quickly blossomed into a deep and joyful connection with the community. It all started at a local event at Sycamore & Oak, where she met Maria Johnson, a Community Activator at Martha’s Table. Maria was engaging with neighbors and distributing no-cost groceries. Maria’s warmth and passion for service sparked her interest in learning more about Martha’s Table and getting involved. “I was intrigued after meeting Maria and decided to sign up for a volunteer shift shortly after the event,” Hanna shared.

“Maria told me, ‘We just help out the community.’ It sounded almost too good to be true, but my curiosity got the best of me. So, I decided to come by and see for myself.”

To her surprise, the volunteer experience was both smooth and welcoming. After signing up online, Hanna was introduced to Andrew and Jamal at the Martha’s Table market, who guided her through the volunteer setup and food distribution process. They explained the setup and emphasized the importance of treating guests at the market with dignity and warmth. Hanna was struck by how the team worked to ensure everyone felt respected and cared for. Since then, she has become a familiar face at Martha’s Table, known for her positive and approachable demeanor.

When asked what keeps her coming back, she lit up: “It’s the people,” she said. “It’s how friendly everyone is. You meet folks from all over. Sometimes people come by and start dancing, or just share a story—it’s really sweet. You never know what kind of joy someone’s going to bring. It feels like home.”

Hanna says volunteering has given her more than she expected, and she encourages others to try it.

“If you’re unsure, like I was, just show up. Meet the people. You’ll see how good it feels. There’s so much kindness here—among the staff, the other volunteers, and the families we serve. It’s a real community. Just go online, sign up, and look around. There’s something for everyone.”

We are incredibly grateful for Hanna’s time, heart, and unwavering positivity. Her story reminds us of the powerful impact that comes when we show up with an open mind and a willingness to serve others.

Congratulations again, Hanna—you make Martha’s Table a brighter place for us all.

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