Submitted photo Carl Nunziato, 86, of Boardman, has been on the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley’s board of directors for the past 25 years. He also is an advocate for veterans. , and the VA Center on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown is named for him

YOUNGSTOWN — For 25 years, Carl Nunziato has served on the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley board of directors.

Helping people has been in Nunziato’s DNA forever, whether it was during his time in the U.S. Army, working as a lawyer and advocate for disabled individuals, or on the food bank board.

“When you help people, when you do something for people, you end up getting the benefit,” Nunziato said, adding it’s the feeling of making a difference.

His relationship with Second Harvest was spurred by an instance when he was in Vietnam with the U.S. Army.

“After we had our meals, the old C-rations, we’d dip our mess kits in soapy water to wash them,” he said, adding at the end of the day trash, empty C-rations and water tanks were put on a truck and taken to a dump several miles down the road.

Nunziato, of Boardman, was a lieutenant at the time, and he couldn’t believe what his sergeant was telling him about the dump, so he went with him the next time.

When they got there, parked in the same spot the sergeant did each day, Nunziato noticed a man known as “King of the Dump,” who loaded scraps, passing them out to people.

The next day, Nunziato went again to the dump but this time with his own C-rations in hand. He saw a mother carrying her little boy, who was undoubtedly starving, he said.

He thought “That boy won’t live six months,” Nunziato recalled.

He gave his C-rations to the mother, and the King didn’t like it and probably took the food from her, Nunziato said.

The image of the mother with her hungry baby is an image that Nunziato has carried with him ever since.

Michael Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest, salutes Carl for his 25 years of service to those in need of food.

“Carl’s been an integral part of helping this organization thrive and feed more people in the Mahoning Valley,” Iberis said. “Through his advocacy nature and passion to help people in need, Carl’s helped the food bank extend its reach throughout the three counties we serve.”

Making sure people are advocated for is something Nunziato has done his whole life, and it’s been his reason for being.

“I find working and helping people is the greatest reward there is. I enjoy it,” Nunziato, 86, said. “I always thought working with people is the purpose, it’s the life call.”

Part of his life and advocacy-based story were shaped when Nunziato was shot in Vietnam, which led to his left hand being covered in shrapnel, and the loss of his legs.

Following a nearly two-year stay at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., Nunziato studied to become a lawyer, and then advocated for disabled individuals so they would have access to buildings downtown.

There’s also the food pantry in the Carl Nunziato VA Clinic on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown, which opened in 2022.

“Many of our vets are on a fixed income,” Nunziato said during the VA Clinic’s one-year anniversary. “There’s never enough to cover the cost of living. To have the ability to come here with Second Harvest to provide food is very important.”

It’s impossible to put a number on how many people he’s helped throughout his lifetime.

He’s been gracious when he has met those who have told him of his impact and he’s told them it’s “because they matter.”

In keeping with his humility, when thanked for his service Nunziato continues to respond, “It has been my privilege to serve.”

It’s the same response he gives when he’s thanked for servicing his country and community.

Nunziato has brought with him a spirit of compassion to everything he does. His journey is a reminder that his service — whether helping others during his time serving the country or as a lawyer, advocate or Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley board member — isn’t just an act. It’s his way of life.