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My name is Kianna, and I’m an AmeriCorps VISTA serving as the Portland Fruit Tree Project’s (PFTP) Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator. After recruiting new volunteers at community events, I play matchmaker between volunteers and upcoming opportunities–such as pruning at our 10 community orchards, harvesting in backyards across Portland, and preserving fruit at our office. The fruit is then donated to community organizations and distributed to people who need it. Behind the scenes, I also oversee the volunteer management system and help with hefty internal projects (like the launch of a new website).

I submit this reflection two weeks late, which is an accurate representation of how my last six weeks have been going. Each day has more tasks—both personal and professional—than I have time and energy. The only strategy is triage: Which task has the most pressing deadline and dire consequences if ignored? Which task is the most beneficial to my organization (Portland Fruit Tree Project), household, or life? This is not to say that delayed tasks are not important. Rather, they are only less important relative to the others given the current, shifting, fluid circumstances. To me, this state of busyness is exciting, rewarding, and tiring. So long as it is a season with an eventual, logical end, I can handle the ever-lengthening to-do list and unrelenting pressure with tenacity and grace.

Three days ago, a woman selling art at a local neighborhood event that I was tabling walked over to me. “Thank you,” she said with a smile. “I fed my kids fresh fruit for years when I was a single working mother thanks to the Portland Fruit Tree Project.” Each week, she took fresh fruit from the Fruit Fridge at our organization’s HQ—fruit that I’m now helping get harvested and donated.

In a week, the six-month-long remodel at my house that I’ve been coordinating will be completed, and then everyone in my household will finally have enough space to meet their needs.

My energy and time are meant to be spent, and I’m honored to have opportunities to spend them meaningfully.