We were shown a powerpoint presentation to gain an understanding of the food services ACFB provides to the community along with other services they offer. We were given safety instructions and than we were sectioned off by groups and assigned our sorting tasks. My group sorted and bagged pears. There was a mix of BGR ladies and others in my sorting area, but we all quickly began to chat to learn what brought us to ACFB , where we worked, etc as the time quickly passed. Each conversation flowed with ease. Later in the morning, we were given an opportunity to tour the facility. It was a warehouse filled with pallets of dry goods, shelves of food in a make-shift 'grocery store', a huge freezer and refrigerator, and trucks for staff to load food to make deliveries to the community agencies that are served. I must say, it looked like Costco. I'm not sure what happened, but I found myself tearing up as I thought about my current situation of unemployment. I thought about how blessed I am that while my situation is temporary, I am not in need that requires food assistance from ACFB. I felt thankful. I felt proud. I felt humbled. All the while thinking that if I were in need of food assistance, I could go to ACFB for help, with no questions asked. On some level, I think I was reminded that things could be much worse for me, but they're not.
I'm so glad that I participated in this day of service. I'm filled with such gratitude that I have great people in my life. I'm glad that for 2.5 hours today, I was able to make a difference in my community and that a family will enjoy pears that I had a hand in packing.
Today was a good day!
For more information and to volunteer at The Alameda County Food Bank, visit: http://www.accfb.org/
