How a weekly volunteer became a community builder at a growing food bank

Becky Ruska’s path into the nonprofit world didn’t follow a traditional trajectory. After spending more than two decades in retail leadership as a district manager for Express, she made a bold decision to step away in her early 40s. What began as a period of rest and reflection quickly evolved into something more meaningful when she started volunteering weekly at the newly formed St. Croix Valley Food Bank in Wisconsin. That volunteer role turned into an opportunity and ultimately a second career rooted in service, community and purpose. Today, Becky plays a central part in connecting volunteers, donors, businesses and community members to the food bank’s mission. From managing volunteer programs and community events to growing brand awareness through social media and partnerships, she brings people together around a shared goal: making sure food gets to those who need it most. Since its launch just over four years ago, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank has grown rapidly and now distributes nearly five million pounds of food annually across four counties through more than 55 partner programs. With a new permanent facility on the horizon, the organization is preparing to scale its impact even further, aiming to distribute up to eight million pounds of food in the coming years. Becky believes that fundraising and community building aren’t about asking for money—they’re about relationships. Whether she’s giving a tour to a first-time volunteer, standing at a local festival booth or calling a donor who scribbled “call me if you need a volunteer” on a donation slip, Becky shows how meaningful impact often starts with simply showing up. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Becky reflects on career change, building trust from the ground up and what it takes to create lasting community connections around a growing nonprofit.