Today, Second Harvest Food Bank received a very special guest. Angela, who you might recognize from food drive barrels and posters, has become a dedicated Share Your Lunch ambassador. By spreading the word about how Second Harvest helps her family, she hopes to inspire our entire community to stop summer hunger for local children.
Joined by older sister, Leticia, Angela told us how the recession made things very tough for her family. When her father lost his job, they hardly had enough to keep a roof over their heads. Angela’s family never needed assistance before, so they had no idea the Food Bank existed. When a friend told her mom about Second Harvest they started going to Food Bank distributions and were surprised to find so much fresh produce. Angela admits that there’s not a fruit or vegetable that she doesn’t like!
When Angela and Leticia arrived at Cypress Center earlier today, they received a VIP tour from our CEO, Kathy Jackson. Angela saw the barrels with her likeness, autographed her ad in today’s Mercury News, and watched volunteers sort bins full of nectarines, but she was really floored when we arrived at the refrigerator and the automatic doors that led into 8,000 square feet of her favorite fruits and vegetables.
Angela is amazed by all the "video game" buttons on the forklift
Kathy showed Angela carrots (her favorite vegetable), bell peppers, watermelons and more. At the back of the building she saw the familiar trucks. She said she had no idea that the Food Bank would be so big and really never thought where that truck loaded with meals for her family came from. After taking a seat in the cab of a truck and watching a few pallet jacks whiz by, she finally got to sit in a forklift. The moment she climbed in her eyes grew big with delight and then upon seeing all the buttons exclaimed, “It’s just like a video game!”
Everyone at Second Harvest has become a huge fan of Angela’s, which was made obvious by the handshakes and high-fives she received while walking around. What we think makes her so special is that despite facing challenges, she is incredibly motivated to give back, share what she has with others, and encourage everyone to get involved in the fight against hunger.
“Angela is such an incredible spokesperson for the Food Bank,” shared Kathy. “She exudes compassion, confidence and strength. I know that she will be successful in whatever she pursues in life, and we’re glad that she can focus on her dreams, not on being hungry.”
We closed Angela’s visit with a viewing party of her YouTube video and ABC News interview over a simple meal of her favorite foods: turkey sandwiches and fruits. As we joked about her love for pears, she playfully said, “Hey, don’t talk about my stomach!” But Angela’s real concerns were much broader. Right before heading home she said, “If everyone shared their lunch, no one would ever have to go hungry.”
Angela thanks you for helping her family through this difficult time and invites you to Share Your Lunch today to make sure every child in our community has healthy meals like hers.
8-year-old Angela gets to sit in a Food Bank driver's seat!
Kathy shows Angela how the food gets packed for her site each month
