Foodbank Holiday shoppers

Hungry for the Holidays?

28 November 2011

by JANA JACK

With the recent Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas just around the corner, the idea of serving others brings peace and gratitude to my heart. The last stressor in my life is food; it’s always accessible. We rarely remember the people who don’t have enough to eat and struggle to feed their family, much less themselves.

For three hours on Wednesday at 9:30AM I volunteered at the University District Food Bank. Men and woman of all ages came in with smiles on their faces, and some were in a hurry and quiet. Nonetheless, each individual who I bagged groceries for was thankful, and the three volunteers I met seemed selfless as they unloaded hundreds of boxes filled with donated food.

I walked down 50^th St. towards University Ave where I saw a line of people waiting-- doors wouldn’t open to the public until 10AM. With no idea where the entrance was and after several catcalls from the men in line, I laughed and asked for directions to defuse my awkwardness.

“Right around the corner through the alley and on your left,” said an older African American man. He stood in front of the line with his feet squared with his shoulders, his broad stance like an officer of an army.

I was directed to Bill Lowie, nine-years manager/assistant director of the food bank. After 4 times asking me Bill finally remembered my name. I told him to call me “Banana,” because he couldn’t remember “Jana.” Bill especially, and most the volunteers seemed to love yelling out “Banana” throughout the three hours I worked.

I signed in next to other names on the list, where there were columns for “in time” and “out time.” Most the volunteers were working for Seattle Community Court, so their hours were regulated intently.

I was given an apron and sent to work.

“About four tons of food is delivered on a daily basis, if not more,” said Willie, a volunteer at the food bank. “We got a lot of bread today. I’ll bring you the boxes, and you fill the shelves.”

There was barely enough room as I squished baguettes, hamburger and hotdog buns, bagels and rolls on the shelves. After, I was sent to bag and count customer’s food according to the point system on their cards.

I was amazed. An entire supermarket, with tons and tons of food, was literally underground, with a tiny door entrance from the street with stairs leading down.

Lying horizontal to the entrance were the aisles of shelves stacked with food. Labels were placed on the top of each aisle reading: dairy, proteins, vegetables, fruits, breads/grains, sweets, and miscellaneous items.

With the profuse amounts of bread, produce and sweets, customers could take unlimited amounts of those for this day in particular.

“Oh no sweets are unlimited?” exclaimed an older woman with a long flowery dress. “You guys are going to give me diabetes!” she laughed and filled her basket with some cupcakes and scones.

A single person usually had a “1” on the top of his or her card, and families had a “3” or “4.” For example, with a “1” you are limited to 2 proteins; with a 4 you can have up to six protein labeled foods.

I stood behind a large counter that was filled with plastic and paper bags by my feet. I worked with Susie, who looked to be in her 50’s and volunteered for three months.

“I like volunteering here. It runs like an actual grocery store,” Susie said. “The aisles are set up like a store, and everyone is so friendly here. The volunteers are professional.”

To my left was another counter to like ours to check out, and two senior UW students were working. Yunis was the girls name and she had been volunteering for the last three weeks for fun.

Individuals or families who need to feed their children, but still must pay for rent, car repairs, prescription drugs, and more, use the food bank to expand their incomes to afford these necessities.

“About 60 percent of the customers have at least one part-time job, but struggle making ends meet every month,” said Bill, Food Bank manager. “A regular week we serve about 1000 households a week, and a busy week serving up to 1200 households a week.”

Volunteers, and donations from grocery stores, churches, and government support the U-district Food Bank.   

According to their website, the U-district Food Bank has helped prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle neighborhoods for more than a quarter of a century, providing groceries they need to prepare nutritionally balanced meals at home.

“I like to cook my own food,” a man with long dreadlocks said. He pulled out vegetable after vegetable, and Susie commented on how healthy he was being. “There’s so much food without any nutrient value,” he said. “So what’s the point of eating it if it’s empty nutrition?”

Behind my counter were two large shelves filled with baby food, diapers, feminine products, soaps, candles, cat and dog food. Individuals with a “baby card,” along with their food card were able to chose a certain amount of products for their baby.

Cat and dog food, soaps and candles were all available first come, first serve.

There were about 15 plus volunteers who worked at the food bank that day. There were fewer workers in the morning when I came, and new faces arrived around noon. A boy and a girl volunteered, they were only about 10 years old. The boy was there for over three hours—attentive and constantly willing to help.

“We always are busy until 11:30 or so,” said Susie. “Then once 12 or 12:30pm hits, we get slammed.”

And Susie was right. The clock struck 12pm and there was a line behind the counter I was working at. Susie took a break and I felt like a grocery clerk robot, my hands never stopped moving.

“Girl, you’re good enough to work at QFC,” one lady told me. I laughed and continued packing in groceries. “I’ll put in a good word for ya’,” she laughed, thanked me, and continued on her way.

Working in the food bank not only opened my eyes to how fortunate I am, but also cleared my mind of the stress and complications of my life.

To see how thankful each client was warmed my heart and spurred me to want to volunteer more. I believe serving others with the right attitude fuels our energy and can allow a divine peace of mind, almost unexplainable.

One man I bagged for I will always remember.

“I haven’t eaten in a week. I don’t know what I would do without you guys,” said the male customer. He looked in his late twenties with tattoos that peaked out of his sleeves and down his hands. We spoke back and forth and I cracked a joke. “That’s the first time I have laughed in a long time, thank you so much.” He smiled and walked out.