And…it’s Walmart time again!
“Just asking for food to feed the hungry.”
“Thank you for your donation”.
“Hello.”
Each of us working for the pantry outside the Walmart has a different introduction we use when we speak to the shoppers. We’ve been outside the Walmart monthly since last fall. The only month we didn’t stand outside the entrance was December when the Salvation Army puts out its volunteer ringing the bell.
In February, the temperature was 2 degrees. Standing outside the store in July, we all commented that the broiling heat was better than the cold.
But, really, in our hearts of hearts, we don’t care what day it is, what the time is, what the temperature is. What matters is that we’re outside the entrance and it’s our favorite place to be.
No, I’m not lying. I totally adore being outside the Walmart. We’ve made friends with everyone:
customers
employees
tradesmen.
On Friday, a young couple came up to show off their brand new baby who wasn’t even here yet at our September visit.
One of my favorite people at the Walmart is a homeless woman who always manages to bring us a can of food.
Employees drop by throughout the day to see if we’re okay.
In the midst of all the community, we’re raising $$$ to buy food to keep the pantry open another month. And…that’s no small job. Our census rises every month. Last month, we served 800 people.
For a young pantry, just a little over a year old, to have the food and funds to feed 800 people is something to be extremely proud of. Reservoir Food Pantry volunteers can do this because they know how to focus on the task at hand.
Prasida, Bob, Louise, Barbara, and Garrett know how to focus on feeding the people. The focus is completely “with us” all three days.
This focus offers opportunity to:
really enjoy what we’re doing.
set goals.
bond with the people we meet.
keep our pantry open.
As the coordinator, I’m often asked: “Who sponsors your pantry?”
Thank you to everyone at the Walmart, both customers and employees. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to feed 800+ people every month. When we feed the hungry, we strengthen our whole community. We couldn’t do this without your support.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
