Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Brayden

Brayde started volunteering with Hands4Hope a little more than a year ago. He is a 5th grader at a local Elementary School.

Brayden said the Homeless Outreach events are his favorite. "I guess it just makes me feel good to know I am helping other people," he said. "It makes me realize that a lot of people don't have food, clothes, and shelter like I do."

He also said he likes the Homeless Outreach because it's fun.  "I like cooking and making food and knowing it's going to a good cause."

When Brayden was asked what volunteering with Hands4Hope has made him realize about his own life, he said it makes him grateful. "We are lucky to do a lot of things like go on vacation, have Birthday parties, read books, and play lacrosse."

He also said it's changed his outlook. "If I want something and I don't get it, I have learned not to feel mad because some people don't have food."

"I try not to ask for too many things or be spoiled. I feel lucky to have food, clothes, and shelter to live in."

Brayden and his family have been great volunteers with Hands4Hope and we are so lucky to have them!

How YOU can make a difference!

Here is a message we received from a director at the Twin Lakes food bank.  If you are considering signing up to volunteer at the Food Bank Blitz on September 10th, here is where your hours of service pay off! 

Dear Hands4Hope volunteers,

"We are always grateful for the Hands4Hope food drives including gift cards and the monetary portion.

We log in our gift cards and here are the examples we were able to use from the last event:

1) Senior Citizen recovering from Cancer and going through Chemotherapy has a list of special food items her Doctor will allow her to eat. We are able to assist her monthly with a gift card allowing her to buy special Soy Milk, Wheat products, and special vitamins.

2) A mom with 2 teen boys-1 boy just had a brain tumor removed. He is recovering very nicely. He is at home and needs home schooling. We are able to help the mom buy extra food products for her son as he's growing and at home all the time. He no longer gets the hot lunch or breakfast at school. 

3) A homeless couple around 30 years old, Vet served in Iraq 5 years and fiance' were able to buy them ice for 3 weeks for their ice cooler and supply them with "special needs" items for camping out at Beals Point Campground. (miracle story, he has job in EDH working for Large Company and getting a house next month)

4)  We have a family and their daughter is a diabetic with special needs. We are able to provide them with grocery store cards for low/no sugar items.

5) Baby Food Baby Food Baby Food!!! We ran out at least 3 times and we were able to gather some gift cards and purchase bags of Baby Food products.

6) Gas Cards-Wal Mart/Sam's 2 emergency needs mom working and getting children to/from daycare just didn't have enough to stretch her gas for the week.

7) Mac N Cheese. We are seeing huge increases in families and have run out of Mac N Cheese 2 times. We were able to use the monetary funding for Mac N Cheese.

8) Purchased Soy milk for special Doctor's order

9) Purchased low salt food products for special diets and Dr.'s orders

10) 85 year old gentleman needed some special items and we were able to get his basic needs met.

11) Single Mom-3 kids hours have been cut and we were able to supplement her groceries for the kids.

12) Milk and eggs for the "PM" shift. We were completely wiped out of fresh milk and eggs for the Tuesday afternoon shift. We were able to purchase 30 dozen eggs and 30 gallons of milk for the families coming in to the food bank after work hours.

I just want to make sure you know how important Hands4Hope is to us as a food bank. We are very appreciative and look forward to working with you in the future."

Sincerely,

Tammy 

Director

(Twin Lakes Food Bank)

To sign up for the next Blitz, click here!