Follow Me To ... Some HELP (#13)

Gaithersburg HELP, Food Coordinator

I call into retrieve messages and hear, "My name is ___, I need food.  My number is ____.  God Bless."  Oftentimes, I have to repeat the same message over and over again in order to get their name or hear their phone number.  All I seem to hear is "I need food."  There are many messages like this one on the answering machine at 9am when I start my shift and many more by the time my shift ends at 1pm.  This is humbling.  This is upsetting.  But I love this job because guess what?  I get to call them back and say, "This is Amy from Gaithersburg HELP.  I hear you'd like to pick up food today at the food pantry.  Can you be there between the hours of 5 and 6:30?"  After confirming their address, the members of their family, and a few other administrative matters for the database, I get to deliver good news to people who don't get much good news.  Food will be waiting for them at the pantry that evening; diapers and formula too should they need it.  This is fabulous.  This is rewarding.  This is my job as a monthly Food Coordinator for Gaithersburg HELP.

Gaithersburg HELP is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that has served the Gaithersburg community for over 40 years providing short-term emergency assistance to residents.  It provides a variety of coordinated support including food (3-5 days worth), infant needs (diapers, baby food, formula), prescription assistance, transportation assistance, and financial support and referrals.  It was started by church groups but now includes a broad base of volunteer support.  It raises most of its own funds and, thus, can provide a range of services that are responsive and tailored to individual needs.  For instance, unlike other food providers in the area, residents here may visit the food pantry as often as they need to up to 18 times a year.  Food is distributed according to family size instead of one size fits all and typically consists of newly purchased uniform components versus randomly assembled products from donated sources.  Bus tokens, prescription assistance, and other services are provided as well.  

My Takeaways:  (1)  There are so many organizations doing similar things but each differently - each good in their own way.  Thankfully, for local residents there are many food sources that can be pieced together to mitigate food insecurity.  I am very impressed by the services and support of Gaithersburg HELP so have committed to at least one shift per month as a food coordinator.  I can do it in my pajamas from home (are you seeing this theme of volunteer opportunities -- "things to do at home in pjs?"); (2)  We think we know our community and its needs but there is so much we don't know about our neighbors.  I'm starting to think about the needs of my own community very differently and hope you do too.