Welcoming visitors, handing out bags and explaining how the Carle Health Mobile Market works for shoppers may seem like simple tasks, but for Danville High School student Jasmine Pedro, it is about learning life lessons in communicating and helping those in her community.
Pedro is a student volunteer with the market and at Carle at the Riverfront in Danville. “Volunteering helped me overcome shyness and is a great way to grow confidence. Plus, you get to help people out and make a difference in the community."
The mobile market, which makes stops in Danville and smaller communities in Vermilion County needs
volunteers of all ages. Launched in 2025 through the Vermilion County Community Health Collaborative and led by Carle Health, the inspiring initiative addresses food insecurity and improves community well-being, one stop at a time. Foods – fresh, frozen and chilled - are sold at a low cost in areas with few or no grocery options and most stops last 1.5 to 2 hours. Grant funding enables the Carle Health Mobile Market to purchase food at wholesale prices and pass the savings directly to shoppers.
A high school junior, Pedro said her goal is to someday be a pediatric nurse. Her volunteer hours at the mobile market and at Carle at the Riverfront not only immerse her in healthcare and community health environments, but they also apply toward requirements as a member of the high school’s National Honor Society.
Berrie Rupert, coordinator, Carle Health Mobile Market, said there are always opportunities for volunteers, whether it is helping for a few hours in the warehouse once a week or being at the market on wheels when it stops in their hometowns. The schedule shows the dates, times and locations for each stop.
“The volunteers help build community relations and a warm, friendly environment for anyone stopping by,” Rupert said. “They also see up close the community health environment.”
Eric Toliver, MBA, director, Volunteer Services, said, “Volunteers of all ages discover how giving a little of their time can make a huge difference in the life of someone else in their community. Student volunteers like Jasmine are no exception. Whether or not they are interested in a healthcare field, young volunteers bring a willingness to help and an interest in learning something about themselves as they engage with their communities.”
Those interested in volunteering can find options in their communities at Carle.org.
Pedro is a student volunteer with the market and at Carle at the Riverfront in Danville. “Volunteering helped me overcome shyness and is a great way to grow confidence. Plus, you get to help people out and make a difference in the community."
The mobile market, which makes stops in Danville and smaller communities in Vermilion County needs
volunteers of all ages. Launched in 2025 through the Vermilion County Community Health Collaborative and led by Carle Health, the inspiring initiative addresses food insecurity and improves community well-being, one stop at a time. Foods – fresh, frozen and chilled - are sold at a low cost in areas with few or no grocery options and most stops last 1.5 to 2 hours. Grant funding enables the Carle Health Mobile Market to purchase food at wholesale prices and pass the savings directly to shoppers.A high school junior, Pedro said her goal is to someday be a pediatric nurse. Her volunteer hours at the mobile market and at Carle at the Riverfront not only immerse her in healthcare and community health environments, but they also apply toward requirements as a member of the high school’s National Honor Society.
Berrie Rupert, coordinator, Carle Health Mobile Market, said there are always opportunities for volunteers, whether it is helping for a few hours in the warehouse once a week or being at the market on wheels when it stops in their hometowns. The schedule shows the dates, times and locations for each stop.
“The volunteers help build community relations and a warm, friendly environment for anyone stopping by,” Rupert said. “They also see up close the community health environment.”
Eric Toliver, MBA, director, Volunteer Services, said, “Volunteers of all ages discover how giving a little of their time can make a huge difference in the life of someone else in their community. Student volunteers like Jasmine are no exception. Whether or not they are interested in a healthcare field, young volunteers bring a willingness to help and an interest in learning something about themselves as they engage with their communities.”
Those interested in volunteering can find options in their communities at Carle.org.
Categories: Culture of Quality, Community
Tags: Carle Health Mobile Market, community health initiative, , Services, student volunteers, Vermilion County, Volunteer, Volunteering, Volunteers