The food bank for which I have been volunteering put out a press release declaring that it is critically low on food. The media responded. For instance, KOMO did a story on it, the Phinneywood Blog covered it, and Q13Fox did as well, though I cannot find that. A local evangelical protestant megachurch, Mars Hill, is partnering with us too.

As the warehouse coordinator, I can verify that it is true: we are really short stocked. The press release said four days, but I would not be surprised if it were fewer. It was a significant source of stress during my tenure. Part of my duties were to plan what was given out, and I found I never had enough of anything to serve everyone.

Well, the word went out, and donations came in.

Yesterday, during my half-shift, over a couple thousand dollars in donations came in, from a few folks who said it was on their heart. Every fifteen minutes or so, I would hear a “hello?” from the front of the dock. The voice was someone who heard and went to Costco, someone else who heard and went to Safeway, or someone who read about it and took their kids to Target to get food for us. Cases of macaroni and cheese, pasta, canned meats, soups and so forth. Some kids donated a few dollars from their piggy bank too, in moments that inspire awe. This is not a feel-good story where, at the end of the day, our problems are solved. They are not, but our struggles are less severe. What has stuck with me the most is how inspiring it has been to see how many generous souls live in my community.

The food bank is always there, but it fell from everyone’s radar until the press release went out. It was as though all we had to do was ask, and remind people of what we do.

Friday will be my last day there. It has been a useful experience, and one I am glad to have done.