SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LOCAL STORIES.
FEEDING HOPE: CINDY’S STORY
Cindy said this as she stood in line for the Mobile Market in Richland, Washington. “I feel this immense sense of gratitude.”
Cindy is no stranger to serving others. She previously worked in in-home nursing palliative care—as a self-titled “palliative peer.” Her job was very rewarding, but it took a toll on her health. “I forgot to take care of myself in the process,” she said. Cindy is now working on getting healthy again so she can return to her work in palliative care.
“You need to heal yourself to be able to give, and having adequate nutrition is a part of my healing journey right now.”
“When I receive food, I have a personal feeling of absolute grace.”
Stress also contributes to Cindy’s poor health, but the Mobile Market has helped alleviate some of it. “It gives me a reprieve from constantly figuring at how to get my basic needs met,” she said. Because of the money she saves on food at the Mobile Market, Cindy can afford gas to get to her doctors’ appointments.
“You never know how your gift of sustenance can impact the world around you,” said Cindy. “Every person makes a difference. Every person matters. Taking care of other people – you never know how that will impact the world around you. Every action you take can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Cindy is certainly grateful for the way people are making a difference in hers by providing her with food at no cost. “I get goosebumps coming here because it’s this sense of community—people coming together and meeting each other’s needs.”
A Thanksgiving Thanks – November 17
Thanksgiving, known for bringing together cherished ones over a festive meal, embodies not only the joy of togetherness but also serves as an occasion to express and spread gratitude. As we reflect on gratitude, we at Second Harvest want to send heartfelt thanks to the pantries and meal programs that tirelessly serve our communities.
Service to Country and Community – November 10
The Bite2Go program rallies people from a diversity of backgrounds around the simple belief that no child should go hungry. Our donors and volunteers come from the business world, the faith community and a variety of civic groups and clubs; they range in age from 9 to 90.
As Nov. 11, Veterans Day, approaches, we’d like to take time to thank a special group — our veterans — and acknowledge the multiple ways they serve our program and our communities as they once served their nation.
What My Internship Taught Me – November 3
Food insecurity. It is a term we so often hear, but many of us never really understand because we are lucky.
We have never skipped a meal because we can’t afford one or questioned when we will eat again. But it’s a reality for thousands of our neighbors.
They have to make impossible choices about whether to buy medication, pay rent, keep the power on, and put gas in the car — or buy food for the week.
And while I knew that people around me were making these choices every day, I never understood it until working with Second Harvest.
Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
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