Volunteers of the Week
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Kristi Korzec -6/4/2006
"Lots of sex and lots of money" was what the then
107-year-old Mr. Fairbanks said on the very first day
I volunteered, as being the key to living a long life.
Having just handed him a muffin from the food line, I
must admit that I was a little taken aback by his
unsolicited advice. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but
smile.
After living and working in the artificial world of
Hollywood, it was refreshing to finally find myself in
reality, and face to face with a vibrant man over a
century old, wearing a white suit with a pink
handkerchief in his lapel pocket, standing in a food
line in the parking lot behind the Hollywood Gay and
Lesbian Center. For the first time since moving to the
West Coast, I was honestly happy.
I came to Food On Foot expecting to help those less
fortunate and left, on that very first day, 2 years
ago, knowing that this program would mostly help me. I
was simply seeking a way to give back to my community,
and discovered that what I was really searching for
was, in fact, a community. Food On Foot promotes the
values of an altruistic society and provides an
environment for people, who live in the same region,
to meet, interact, and support each other in the
spirit of being neighbors.
I most appreciate that volunteers in this program
don’t just give out food, but are given an opportunity
to be with their neighbors and, maybe, watch them grow
because of their donated time and money. You watch a
man you handed a box of chicken to 3 weeks ago with
limited future prospects realize that he has the power
to change his situation and work hard enough to earn
his way onto the work for food crew. And then, after
some time, that same man graduates out of the program
and finds employment. Of course, this doesn't happen
over night, but the fact that it does happen is truly
amazing and wouldn't be possible without the support
of the community that Food On Foot provided for him.
Food On Foot has taught me that every person’s life
journey is mapped out with many peeks and valleys, but
it is how you navigate through and around the rough
terrain that determines your success in this world.
There are many reasons why someone ends up standing in
a food line, but there are fewer reasons why that
person remains in that line week after week, year
after year. Food On Foot provides food for many, but,
more importantly, this organization also offers a way
to get out of the line.
Devoted FOF Volunteer,
Kristi Korzec
107-year-old Mr. Fairbanks said on the very first day
I volunteered, as being the key to living a long life.
Having just handed him a muffin from the food line, I
must admit that I was a little taken aback by his
unsolicited advice. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but
smile.
After living and working in the artificial world of
Hollywood, it was refreshing to finally find myself in
reality, and face to face with a vibrant man over a
century old, wearing a white suit with a pink
handkerchief in his lapel pocket, standing in a food
line in the parking lot behind the Hollywood Gay and
Lesbian Center. For the first time since moving to the
West Coast, I was honestly happy.
I came to Food On Foot expecting to help those less
fortunate and left, on that very first day, 2 years
ago, knowing that this program would mostly help me. I
was simply seeking a way to give back to my community,
and discovered that what I was really searching for
was, in fact, a community. Food On Foot promotes the
values of an altruistic society and provides an
environment for people, who live in the same region,
to meet, interact, and support each other in the
spirit of being neighbors.
I most appreciate that volunteers in this program
don’t just give out food, but are given an opportunity
to be with their neighbors and, maybe, watch them grow
because of their donated time and money. You watch a
man you handed a box of chicken to 3 weeks ago with
limited future prospects realize that he has the power
to change his situation and work hard enough to earn
his way onto the work for food crew. And then, after
some time, that same man graduates out of the program
and finds employment. Of course, this doesn't happen
over night, but the fact that it does happen is truly
amazing and wouldn't be possible without the support
of the community that Food On Foot provided for him.
Food On Foot has taught me that every person’s life
journey is mapped out with many peeks and valleys, but
it is how you navigate through and around the rough
terrain that determines your success in this world.
There are many reasons why someone ends up standing in
a food line, but there are fewer reasons why that
person remains in that line week after week, year
after year. Food On Foot provides food for many, but,
more importantly, this organization also offers a way
to get out of the line.
Devoted FOF Volunteer,
Kristi Korzec