By Marti Mayne

I volunteer at the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry.  While I am assigned to many tasks, my favorite one is working with those who come during my monthly Friday shift.  Today was a particularly moving day. 

While shopping with my first client, I learned that the pantry, and the volunteers who work there mean as much to her as her family. “You are my family,” she told me.  “I take care of my family all week, but you take care of me,” she told me.  “I don’t know what I’d do without the pantry.”  After she left, volunteers at the pantry followed her to her car to help her install her new license plate because she couldn’t budge the bolts on the old plate. That’s what we do. It doesn’t end when they leave the pantry.

Another client told me she was nearly brought to tears when she received a note from the food pantry thanking her for a holiday donation.  “It’s us who should be thanking you,” she said.  “I’m so humbled”.

There’s a gentleman who comes to the pantry every week who recently lost his wife. He often asks for a hug before he leaves.  He always gets one.  He tells me that it’s the only time he feels loved all week.

Beyond food, it’s clear that the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry offers community, care,  and connection.  For some of our patrons, the pantry volunteers are the only people they talk to outside their families.  We’ve heard from many that we’re the only ones who care for them, since those who come to us are typically the caregivers in their own families taking care of everyone else.  The bond we offer is as essential as the food they leave with.

As they say on NBC, “there’s good in the world…”.  There’s no better feeling for me than being in a position to make a difference in the lives of those who live within our community and are often not recognized.

For the hundreds of Yarmouth residents who’ve offered donations of food, money and volunteer time to the Yarmouth Community Food Pantry, I offer these stories so you know you’re a part of making an impact on many Yarmouth residents’ lives.  Every single person who contributes to the food pantry has a part in the food pantry family that serves our community with thoughtfulness and sensitivity. Thank you.