Youth Spotlight: Nikhil Ranchod

Nikhil Ranchod has been volunteering with Hands4Hope for about a year after his mom heard about the organization from a neighbor, and has already served more than 55 hours through the Outreach Program. A 9th grader who is homeschooled, he has volunteered at Upper Room Dining Hall with Hands4Hope almost every month, helped at Twin Lakes Food Bank distributions, and has recently also started participating with the monthly Mercy Creekview Senior Dinner. In addition, he has participated in Hands4Hope committee-related outreach volunteering through School Supply Distribution event and Winter Boutique. He and his mom find opportunities to volunteer at Upper Room Dining Hall outside of Hands4Hope, as well.

Kate Barba, Hands4Hope's Special Events Program Coordinator, has had the opportunity to work with Nikhil at the School Supply Distribution events and Winter Boutique, and had these thoughts to share: "Nikhil is hard-working and reliable. He has such a big heart and an honestly helpful attitude. We are lucky to have him and I hope to see him on my committees next year!"

How have your experiences with Hands4Hope shaped you into the person you are today compared to when you first joined? 

Doing these events almost every month has made me more grateful for what I have and how lucky I am. Getting more involved with Upper Room Dining Hall has made me think that it is unfair that some people are homeless and some are low income and others are not. Trying out different events has made me realize that I want to do more of it, and I really enjoy doing it. Doing every event I can has made me grateful for how lucky I am to have a house, warm clothing, clean drinking water, and not to have to go to a food bank to get food. It's made me a lot more grateful for what I do have.

Has participating with Hands4Hope helped you with school, friends & family, and in life?

I feel more grateful for what I have, and it makes me want to volunteer as much as I can. It also makes me feel happier afterwards.

What is one special memory or moment that stands out from your experiences so far?

While volunteering at the Winter Boutique, I helped one family find coats, jackets, pants, and shirts for the mother and her children. I enjoyed helping them select clothing for their family and carrying the items out to their car. Seeing how grateful they were for my help made me feel truly happy.

What would you tell someone who is considering becoming involved?

If you do decide to participate, then participate in as many opportunities and events as possible, and be willing to try new events. Give it 110 percent! If you do try it, you will love it, just like I do.

How do you see yourself being involved with Hands4Hope in the future?

I see myself as being on one of Hands4Hope's after-school committees.

What other activities do you enjoy outside of Hands4Hope?

I’m a huge board game person, so we go to this board game cafe called Galaxy Game Cafe that has over a thousand different board and card games. They have lots of different events such as Catan tournaments, D&D sessions, and Magic the Gathering; and artsy events such as miniature painting, crochet socials, puzzle showdowns, and more.