Showing Up When It Counts
For many of us, volunteering is something we mean to do — one day, when things slow down, when the timing is right. For Marcus, a service advisor at one of the Barbera Automotive Group's Philadelphia locations, a Gary Barbera Cares volunteer day turned that "one day" into a Saturday morning that he still talks about months later.
Marcus signed up for a food bank shift through the Gary Barbera Cares volunteer program, not entirely sure what to expect. What he found was a well-organized, deeply human operation — and a morning that changed how he thinks about community.
What the Morning Looked Like
The team arrived at the food bank at 8 a.m. and was greeted by staff who walked them through the day's tasks. The work was practical and physical: sorting donations, packing boxes by household size, loading pallets, and helping with distribution at the front of the facility.
"I expected it to feel like a chore," Marcus said. "But once you're in it, you're not thinking about anything else. You're just working, and the people around you — both the volunteers and the people coming in for food — they're just real. There's no pretense."
What Volunteers at Gary Barbera Cares Events Typically Do
- Sort and pack donated food, clothing, or supplies
- Assist with event setup and breakdown at charity drives
- Help with distribution at community giveaway events
- Staff registration and welcome tables at fundraisers
- Load and transport donations between collection and distribution sites
Why the Barbera Team Volunteers Together
Gary Barbera Cares organizes group volunteer days throughout the year, making it easy for Barbera Automotive Group employees to participate. The group element matters. Volunteering alongside coworkers builds something beyond camaraderie — it creates a shared sense of purpose that carries back into the workplace.
"You spend a morning packing food boxes with someone you've only ever talked to about car parts, and you see them differently," Marcus reflected. "You realize you're all just people who want to do something good."
How to Join the Next Volunteer Day
Gary Barbera Cares organizes regular volunteer opportunities throughout the year, open to both Barbera team members and community members who want to get involved. Upcoming events are listed on the Get Involved page of this site.
No special skills are required — just a willingness to show up and give a few hours. Whether it's a food bank shift, a toy drive sort, or a neighborhood cleanup, every pair of hands makes a difference. Marcus would be the first to tell you: you'll get more out of it than you expect.