Podcast Summary: RKD Group: Thinkers

Episode: How a weekly volunteer became a community builder at a growing food bank
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Nipa Eason (RKD Group)
Guest: Becky Ruska (St. Croix Valley Food Bank, Wisconsin)

Overview

This episode explores the inspiring journey of Becky Ruska, who transitioned from a long retail management career to community engagement and leadership at the St. Croix Valley Food Bank. The conversation delves into Becky's unexpected path into the nonprofit sector, the explosive growth of the food bank in western Wisconsin, community building tactics, and the meaningful impact of volunteerism. Listeners gain actionable advice on nonprofit marketing, career shifts, and building local support from the ground up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Becky's Unconventional Path to Nonprofit Work

• After retiring early from a 24-year career in retail (Express), Becky took a year off to reflect and refocus.
• She started volunteering at the St. Croix Valley Food Bank, which soon led to part-time employment overseeing volunteers and community engagement.
• Quote:

  "During that year that I was off, I volunteered at the St. Croix Valley Food bank at least weekly...that evolved into them offering me an amazing part time job where I get to work with our volunteers a lot."
  — Becky, [00:00], [06:01]

2. Rapid Growth and Community Need

• Becky joined the food bank at its inception, helping it spin off from United Way after identifying a significant gap in food bank services in western Wisconsin.
• In just over four years, the food bank grew from scratch to distributing nearly 5 million pounds of food annually, supporting over 55 local partners including pantries, backpack programs, and shelters.
• Quote:

  "We’ve grown to have over 55 partners...pantries, backpack programs, homeless shelters, those are all part of our programs."
  — Becky, [03:36]

3. Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges

• The food bank faced significant space restrictions in their leased facility, forcing them to rent a freezer semi-trailer.
• At the end of 2025, they broke ground on a permanent facility, aiming to raise capacity to 7–8 million pounds of food distributed yearly.
• Quote:

  "We actually have to turn away food...because we often don’t have the room to store both, you know, like, fresh vegetables or frozen meat."
  — Becky, [04:07]

4. Transferable Skills from Retail to Nonprofit

• Skills in customer service, people management, and operations from her retail background translated directly to volunteer coordination and event planning.
• Learning new technical skills, such as social media management and website administration, became a rewarding part of her “second career.”
• Quote:

  "I love working with people, I love to be up, I love to be active. So really taking those skills...and bringing them over to nonprofit has been really successful."
  — Becky, [06:01]

5. A Day in the Life & Event Fundraising

• “No such thing as a typical day”: Becky juggles volunteer events, corporate groups, event planning, and office work.
• The annual Empty Bowls event (April) is the largest fundraiser, involving local restaurants (donated food) and potters (handcrafted bowls).
• Quote:

  "When those doors open at 5pm, there are people lined up because they want to be the first people to get in...and handpick their bowls."
  — Becky, [13:12]

6. Advice for Building Community Engagement

• Focus on brand awareness: Sign up for every local event, partner with businesses for fundraisers, offer food drives, and be present in person and online.
• Trust-building is gradual—people must see your logo and staff repeatedly before feeling compelled to support.
• Don’t fear rejection at community events; showing up is half the battle.
• Quote:

  "Brand awareness was huge when I first started...any little community event I can do, I just started signing up for them."
  — Becky, [16:39]

7. Importance of Human Connection

• Volunteer relationships are central; simple acts like responding to handwritten notes can create lasting bonds.
• Example: A volunteer wrote in on a donation slip, and Becky was the only nonprofit to call him—now he’s a regular.
• Quote:

  "He said, you are the only nonprofit that actually called me."
  — Becky, [22:24]

8. Explaining the Food Bank vs. Food Pantry Model

• The food bank functions as the regional warehouse and distributor—dubbed “the Amazon of western Wisconsin” for food assistance.
• They source and rescue food, redistribute to partner agencies, and emphasize support for local farmers.
• Quote:

  "We're the big distributor of food...we're like the Amazon of western Wisconsin here of food for people in need."
  — Becky, [26:34]

9. Looking Ahead – Legacy & Growth

• The new facility represents a legacy for the region, ensuring long-term impact and community support.
• Becky finds personal fulfillment in building something enduring and seeing the ripple effect on the region.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Career Change:

  "It's a hard thing to shift careers at later ages...So that's really inspiring to hear."
  — Nipa, [09:16]

• On Community Building:

  "Any touch point, anything like that matters. When somebody writes in like that and you're the only one who calls back, that's incredible."
  — Nipa, [23:56]

• On Food Rescue:

  "Instead of it going to the landfill, is there a way that we can take that food and use that food for the local food pantries?"
  — Becky, [26:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |-----------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Becky's transition & early volunteering | [00:00] | | Origin & growth of the food bank | [02:05] | | Facility limitations and expansion | [04:07] | | From retail to nonprofit: Transferable skills | [06:01] | | Typical day & managing events | [11:42] | | Empty Bowls fundraising event | [13:12] | | Building brand awareness & community ties | [16:39] | | Personal approach to volunteer onboarding | [22:24] | | Food bank vs. food pantry explained | [26:34] | | Looking forward to 2026 and new facility | [25:13] |

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Career changes can be fulfilling at any age—openness and intentionality make all the difference.
• Community building for new nonprofits is challenging but showing up, being authentic, and consistent outreach pays off.
• Human connection underpins success, whether in fundraising, volunteerism, or event development.
• The St. Croix Valley Food Bank’s journey illustrates how meaningful, incremental steps can fuel rapid organizational growth and deep local impact.