Volunteer Spotlight: Krista May

Bringing Smiles and Community Connections to Twin Lakes Food Bank

When Krista May moved to Folsom three years ago, she was looking for more than just a new address—she was looking for connection. “I wanted to meet people and feel like a part of my new community,” Krista recalls. A quick search for volunteer opportunities led her straight to Twin Lakes Food Bank (TLFB), and the rest, as they say, is history.

Every week, you’ll find Krista at the Registration desk, greeting both new guests and familiar faces with warmth and humor. “I call them friends,” she says. It’s a role that allows her to connect, share moments, and leave people feeling seen and valued—even on their hardest days. “I am consistently humbled by the number of guests who are experiencing their worst days, yet making me smile. They are grateful, they joke around, they share recipes, and leave us volunteers better than they found us.”

*Krista with guest and volunteer

Krista’s journey into volunteering mirrors her professional path. As a full-time headshot photographer and studio owner in Folsom, she knows what it means to help others feel comfortable, confident, and even joyful in a vulnerable moment. “Clients often walk into my studio feeling nervous, but nearly every time, they leave saying, ‘That was more fun than I expected!’ I like to think we leave that same impact on the guests at the food bank,” she reflects.

Volunteering at TLFB has also reshaped Krista’s view of the world. She has learned the power of meeting people exactly where they are, embracing their unique stories without expectation. “It’s a grounding and humbling experience to know I’m in a position to affect someone’s day for the better, no matter their starting point,” she says.

Outside of the food bank, Krista is a creative spirit and adventurer at heart. She loves baking and cake decorating, painting with watercolors, paddleboarding, stargazing through her telescope—and yes, finally living out a longtime dream by zipping around town in her Mini Cooper Roadster, top down, music blasting, and a grin on her face.

Above all, Krista wants everyone to know that TLFB is here for the community. “You don’t have to be on the brink of disaster to ask for help. We will support you in the times you need us, and be here waiting in the times you don’t.”

Krista May’s story is a shining example of how one person’s desire to connect and serve can ripple out, creating joy, comfort, and community for countless others.

To learn more about how you can serve the food bank like Krista, visit our website here: https://twinlakesfoodbank.org/volunteer/