Correspondent photo / Bill Koch Carol Brenner of Austintown stands in the kitchen of the Glenwood Fresh Market, where she volunteers as part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

AUSTINTOWN — Carol Brenner knew she wanted to stay active after retirement, so she started volunteering at the Glenwood Fresh Market, an organization that helps people with limited financial means gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Brenner, 66, remembers being in difficult circumstances. The Struthers High School graduate got married at age 19, had three daughters, and then was divorced, which changed her lifestyle.

“I wasn’t working and had three little ones, and I couldn’t buy fresh produce. If apples were on sale, we got apples,” she said.

She attended Youngstown State University before getting married. Despite being a single mother, she returned and completed her social work degree in 1991. She always was interested in medical social work, so she interned at Northside Hospital and stayed there until 1997.

After that, she worked at Ohio Youth Advocate Program, the Area Agency on Aging (now Direction Home of Eastern Ohio), Turning Point Counseling Services (now Coleman Professional Services), Hospice of the Valley, and finally Catholic Charities, from where she retired last August.

Brenner said she she found her calling at the Glenwood Fresh Market.

“When I went to college I took social work courses, and it was for me. It seemed like in our family I was the social worker. Even at the grocery store, I was that person people could talk to. My husband says, ‘Turn the neon sign off,'” she said.

She was happy with her profession, but she felt she had enough.

“You know when it’s time to go,” Brenner said.

She wanted to remain involved in the community, at least after recovering from subsequent knee surgery. When Jim, her husband since 2012, retired from his job, she told him about the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and he became a participant. For Carol, it was a logical step to do the same.

RSVP, part of AmeriCorps Seniors, matches people over 55 with volunteer opportunities that are consistent with their abilities and interests. Members can participate as much or as little as they want. RSVP seeks to enhance the lives of the volunteers while helping the community by using their talents. Anyone seeking more information can contact Diana Palardy at 330-480-0352 ext. 1 or dpalardy@fcsserves.org.

Brenner added that RSVP honors the volunteers at appreciation dinners and outings such as Scrappers games.

Palardy interviewed Brenner to determine an appropriate placement. At first when Palardy suggested a food market, Brenner wasn’t sure she was interested. Now, she loves it and feels it was the exact fit.

The Glenwood Fresh Market was started by the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation in response to concerns about the area being a “food desert.” After qualifying for services, shoppers arrive on Tuesday or Thursday by appointment. They are given a $25 credit and the opportunity to pick whatever they want.

Brenner comes on Mondays and Wednesdays and spends a couple of hours packing and weighing items. While a situation occasionally tempts her to put her social work hat back on, she likes the idea of doing something more tangible.

“The people who work there are wonderful. They’re friendly, we joke around, but the work they do is amazing,” she said.

She relayed a recent story of a brittle diabetic whose blood sugar levels improved dramatically simply from shopping at the market and eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

“It’s like a little store. They have it set up so nice.” People can make their own selections, so it’s not like they’re standing in line and getting canned goods,” Brenner said.

Brenner said she and Jim volunteer at different locations so they can pursue their own interests, but they have occasionally combined forces. They used to walk in the Panerathon, but last month they worked in the children’s section and passed out bagels.

They also helped at the Irish festival in July at Penguin City Brewery. She operated the craft table while Jim sat at the merchandise table.

“We get to go and see things, and we get a T-shirt and we talk to people,” Brenner said.

Brenner believes volunteering helps her as much as the recipients. During her employment, “I saw clients just sit on their couch. I’d say, ‘let’s go to the porch, take a walk outside, do something.’ It would be too easy for me to sit around and watch TV and not do anything.”

Brenner said two of her daughters and one of her stepsons live out of town.

“So when you volunteer, it fills that void. Now I have that to look forward to. I’ll stay as long as they need me,” Brenner said.

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