Couple honored by Pay it Forward Project for Bread & Broth volunteering

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two South Lake Tahoe residents have been honored by the Pay It Forward Project for their volunteer work on the South Shore. Dave Carneggie and Bonnie Driscoll were given a $250 grant in their honor to give to the nonprofit of their choice, and they selected Tahoe Magic. They were also treated to dinner at the Chart House as a thank-you for all they have done for the community.

Before retiring, Dave and Bonnie participated for many years in a food-serving program in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, so it was natural that they would be drawn to Bread and Broth (B&B) when they moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2001.

Dave first served Bread and Broth as an assistant cook under the direction of Diane Weidinger while Bonnie served on the same team. After several years, Dave became a Team Cook and Bonnie became a Coordinator, serving in those capacities for about 10 years. During that time, Dave also served as B&B Volunteer Coordinator and served on the Advisory Board.

In 2013 Dave joined the Presbyterian Church and became involved in Second Serving (SS), adding a simple entrée to the traditional meal of restaurant-provided soup and homemade bread. For a brief period, Dave and Bonnie cooked and served at both St. Theresa’s Monday Meal and the Presbyterian Church SS.

In 2014 Dave was asked to take over coordination of SS, shifting their energies from St. Theresa to the Presbyterian Church. Dave assumed responsibility for volunteers, cooking, provisioning, and coordinating with Bread and Broth at St. Theresa. He continued on the B&B Advisory Board as the SS representative, serving in these capacities for the next five years. During this time, Bonnie became a serving team coordinator for SS and assisted Dave with volunteers.

A fire at the Presbyterian Church in May 2019 caused the church and SS to shut down, moving operations to St. Theresa’s Globin and Grace halls.

Health issues forced Dave to resign from SS coordination duties in 2020, but he continued to cook for his team. Soon after, COVID temporarily stopped all B&B in-person meals.

In March 2022, SS resumed food service operations with Susan Baker in charge. Dave continued to assist Susan as Cook’s Coordinator and Provisioner, and cooked for Team 2, while Bonnie continued as Team Coordinator for Team 2 and as an assistant for Susan.

This year the couple has had to step back from coordination duties but continue as a cook and server.

Dave and Bonnie have enjoyed and benefitted from their participation in B&B and said they are grateful for all the support they received from volunteers, team members, and the Bread and Broth leadership.

The pair joins Pay It Forward in asking everyone to volunteer at least two hours a month in the community. This equals 24 hours a year and helps to build a better community while making a big difference.