by Elizabeth Davies, Resource Development Coordinator

Read part 1 here.

The Food Bank functions to collect and purchase food, which is then distributed through our partner agencies. But many people, including our clients, don’t understand how we work. Often clients walk into our offices or call our main line looking to receive food resources directly from our warehouse. These people are greeted by Elena.

Elana has seen people during their most down and out times, and she has helped guide them to the resources they desperately need. Elena told me about a family that was looking for assistance and ran out of gas right as they entered our parking lot. They had traveled here from California on the promise of a job but, once they arrived, the parents and their three children found themselves without money or a place to stay.

Elena offered some of her own money to help the family put gas into their car and sent them on their way with a list of resources. Three months later, the mother returned to thank us and pay Elena back. The mother wanted to let us know that she and her husband had found work and their family finally had a place to stay.

Then, last week, Elena answered a call from an elderly woman who wanted to say she didn’t know what she would do without our help. This woman had fallen on hard times and is caring for several of her grandchildren. She just wanted to thank us for the work we were doing. Elena told the woman, “Your call made my day.” The woman’s only response was, “You make my day, every day.”

Sitting at the front desk to orientate myself to the Capital Area Food Bank was more amazing than I could have hoped for. I was able to see that CAFB interacts with a melting pot of different people. What’s more is that I learned the importance of the work we are doing and the value it holds for our clients.

Plus, if inspirational stories don’t draw you to the CAFB reception desk, there is always the bowl of yummy treats that are worth stopping for!

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Related posts:

1. The Face of CAFB (Part 1/2)
2. Thank you for supporting CAFB during Hunger Action Month!
3. SNAP Households: the Face of Hunger
4. Do You Know How to Talk to Your Child About Hunger?
5. "They said they now know the face of hunger — it's like looking in a mirror; it could be anyone."

Tagged CAFB, cafb staff, Capital Area Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank of Texas