Volunteer Spotlight: Snizhana Yaremchuk

Nearly three years ago, Snizhana Yaremchuk and her now 18-year-old son fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. They initially stayed with friends in Newton, but once Snizhana secured a job as a Special Education Teaching Assistant at Newton North High School and saved enough money, she was able to rent an apartment.

Snizhana says the autonomy felt wonderful, but the high cost of living in Newton was a crushing burden. Her income level disqualified her from receiving federal SNAP benefits, but she still struggled to make ends meet. Snizhana says she was thrilled to learn that the Newton Food Pantry was an available resource. 

“I felt very thankful that I was able to become a client and receive the short-term help I needed, and I loved coming to the Newton Food Pantry to shop,” she says. 

Earlier this year, Snizhana stopped using the pantry as a client and eagerly joined the organization’s amazing volunteer team. She typically volunteers during the late afternoon shopping shift on Wednesdays, after she finishes work.

“I am very busy, juggling my job and other commitments, but the two hours I spend at the Newton Food Pantry each week gives me increased energy,” Snizhana says. “Sometimes when you give, you receive even more! When I am volunteering, a deep happiness shows on my face and is felt in my heart.” 

Snizhana says she is able to assist clients with both food shopping as well as help newcomers as they acclimate to life in the United States. She regularly shares tips on enrolling children in school and navigating supplemental social services and benefits. 

“When I am at the Newton Food Pantry, I love hearing and speaking Ukrainian,” she says. “When you are far away from home, your native language makes you feel warm, happy, good… like home.” 

But even when language is a barrier, Snizhana embraces the opportunity to connect. She recounts showing a woman from Hungary around the pantry and how they mostly communicated through body language. Another bright spot in Snizhana’s days volunteering at the Newton Food Pantry is when she sees students from Newton North lending a hand. “They really want to work hard and help their neighbors — I am so proud of them!”