The food pantry is a place where many different people come together for a few hours each week. Gladys is one such interesting community member that attends our food pantry. Gladys is 77 years old and widowed for 47 of those years. She is an amazing, selfless soul who chooses to see the beauty in everything around her. Some years ago she injured her leg and since then has been walking with a limp, but that has not stopped her from being a vessel of hope and help to the people around her.

I asked Gladys why she attends our pantry and she explained that if she did not come and get a box of food from us on a weekly basis, she would not have enough income to buy the food. The little money that she does get goes to rent and bills and very little is left for groceries. Although she lives alone, she tries to make sure that the food she takes is enough to feed two other people that live in her apartment complex and are not able to go and get food for themselves. She told me that one of those two neighbors cannot speak and the only means of communication is via hand signals. Gladys needs to come get food on a weekly basis. If she did not, it would not only affect her, but also the two neighbors that she helps to feed with the food she gets.

In spite of her pain and difficulties, Gladys is very grateful to the Rescue Mission Alliance Valley Food Bank and our pantry. She always comes and jokes around and has a great spirit, and she shows others the love God has shown her. She thanks God for the food He provides on a weekly basis. She asked me to send a message to all that would be reading this article. “God will always take care of you and all we need to do is not worry and know that God is in control.” Strong words of encouragement from this sweet woman.