Guest Contributor | Azucena Ortega, Programs Supervisor at FARSB
Many people may think that as a food bank, our currency is food. However, the currency of our food bank is KINDNESS. Kindness leads to generosity and compassion – two ingredients needed for our food bank, a nonprofit, to sustain our operations. The kindness of our Donors, our Partners, our Volunteers, and our Board are what enable us to do what we do – feed people.
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB), depends upon the kindness of all those joining in our mission to alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire. We value each donation, each volunteer, each partner, and each board member.
As an employee of FARSB, I work directly with our partners. Mostly, I’m responsible for ensuring that our partners operate and distribute food safely and are in compliance with our safety and partnership standards. Working directly with our partners, I am able to get up-close-and-personal with those in our community who are food insecure. It saddens me to know that there are so many in our community who are without food, but it’s also encouraging to be part of an organization that is doing something about it.
I, myself, was once a single mother of two children going through a divorce. Times were tough and I received assistance from a local Feeding America partner. Little did I know that one day I would be working for the very source that helped provide for me and my family! I know what it feels like to be hungry and much worse, I know what it feels like to see your children hungry. It’s a feeling I will never forget.
It’s very humbling to ask for food assistance. But the assistance is such a blessing! I know I will forever be grateful for those who helped me during those difficult days. It also makes working here at FARSB much more meaningful.
Please know that your Kindness is a good deed far greater than any other. Helping those less fortunate, by showing Kindness, is not only rewarding, but you’ll soon find yourself filled with a grateful heart. Thank you to all of you who show Kindness every day, especially those of you who show Kindness and support our FARSB food bank.
Donate: www.FeedingIE.org/donate
Volunteer: www.FeedingIE.org/volunteer
Food Drive: www.FeedingIE.org/food-drives