Men and women who have lived life a different way than I could ever have imagined are standing in front of me, not being judgmental of who I am or the past I have lived. They are just happy for me to be there, greeting them with fruits and vegetables from weeks past. A feeling of selfishness began seeping through my limbs, leaving me with an emotion that I have yet to truly understand, but the miserable and longing feeling I had is far behind me. Nothing is as important to me now but the faces of pure gratitude now present before me. These remarkable people left behind their pride and dignity to face the fact that they cannot provide a meal for their family and I give them my true and honest respect.

Working with Soil Born Farms and the food banks of Sacramento have filled my soggy and wet clothes with the warmth and comfort I have never felt before in the way I experienced it. Looking back on that Tuesday brings a smile upon my face thinking about what I gave to those people and more important, what they gave to me. A simple “thank you” does not even come close to the appreciation I now have towards the hardworking individuals that deserve much more recognition for what they bring to a community.