Guest Blog: Cindy Cordes volunteers with daughter at Gleaners Food Bank
May 7, 2010
Feeding America blog contributors are volunteering with family members and spouses throughout the year and inviting them to share their experiences with us. The following is our first post in the series, written by Cindy Cordes, mother of Brittany Cordes, Communication Specialist at Feeding America.
Before you read my mother’s blog post, I want to take a minute to thank her for being such a great friend and parent to me. I don’t know what I would do without her. And with Mother’s Day right around the corner (Sunday, May 9), I hope that everyone takes a minute this week to stop what they are doing, pick up the phone and tell their mom how much they mean to them. This blog post is dedicated to all the mom’s out there. Happy Mother’s Day!
Recently, my daughter Brittany Cordes, Communication Specialist for Feeding America asked me if I would like to spend time volunteering with her at the Gleaners Food Bank here in Indianapolis where I live.
Brittany was going to be in town to cover a story on the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana as they celebrated their 30th Anniversary and opening day at their newly, relocated warehouse and headquarters on the Southwest side of Indianapolis.
As any proud mother would be, I was thrilled at the idea to be able to see her in action and to be a part of this great opportunity. So, on Thursday, April 15, we spent the afternoon at the new facility working with the wonderful staff and volunteers of the food bank.
The schedule entailed a personal tour of the new warehouse with Pamela Altmeyer, president and CEO of Gleaners, which was quite impressive. This was followed by volunteering for the food bank’s BackSacks program and assisting at their Southwest Community Cupboard food pantry.
Our first volunteer project was to help put together an assortment of food items that go into the BackSacks for the kids. The team was great in showing us their process, as we worked together in an assembly line fashion.
I was just so amazed at how much time and effort went into this process by the volunteers, as Gleaners distributes 2,976 BackSacks each week! I still don’t know how they do it all.
I also learned more about the BackSacks program and how it provides underprivileged kids a means to take food home with them for the weekend so they will not go hungry. This is a special program that not only provides food, but also builds a stronger parent/teacher relationship.
After this, it was on to assist food bank staffer, Louis Robertson, with the Southwest Community Cupboard. I had never seen a food pantry before, and it was quite an eye opening experience for me. I experienced first hand how hunger touches so many as I watched each group of individuals waiting to be called to enter the pantry and select their food items.
The Southwest Community Cupboard is a choice food pantry, which means each client is allowed to select items from the shelves based on a 20 point system. Louis was great as he managed the entire process and compassionately helped those in need.
As we unpacked and restocked the shelves with food as it quickly disappeared, I was deeply moved to see how the food pantry is truly a life saver for so many people that have fallen on hard times. Louis is amazing, and I plan on returning to volunteer again soon!
The common question that we were asked often by the seasoned volunteers that we worked with was, “Have you seen the old facility?” as they were all so excited to be at the new more efficient space! I had spent time at the previous location volunteering, so I was able to agree that the new facility was quite an improvement.
As I look back on this extraordinary experience, I am grateful for what I have learned. And I am looking forward to continuing my support of the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
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Comments
It is wonderful to see a dear old friend doing such wonderful work. Also to see her lovely daughter all grown and contributing to society in such a giving way. Thanks to Gleaners and the Cordes girls!!
Posted by Linda Hayes Harrer | May 16, 2010 at 1:48 PM