Foodie-friendly Fresh Finds at the Pantry…Here’s Leah’s Story

Last night was a busy evening at the Choice Food Pantry. After being closed for a two-week hiatus, the line started forming before 4:30 PM, more than an hour before opening. The waiting room was packed, filled with the eager buzz of Care Center Friends waiting to shop for their families.

I love volunteering as a personal shopper, and that’s what I got to do last night. The third Care Center Friend I was paired with was Leah*. I had shopped with Leah before, and it was great to see her again. She has a funky sense of style and is quick to smile and chat.

Leah had me smiling right from the start. She was delighted to find fresh blue cheese crumbles in the pantry's deli section. She added a huge Costco fruit tray to her cart along with a big bag of one of her favorite treats – fresh mushrooms. As we turned the corner to the canned goods section, she was thrilled to find the one jar of capers and a huge can of artichoke hearts. Leah even shared a recipe for chicken piccata she planned to make with those ingredients. She got excited to add some pure Madagascar vanilla beans and kombucha to her cart.

We laughed at what a foodie-friendly grocery experience it was at the Choice Food Pantry last night!

Leah shared that she was exhausted. She's had trouble sleeping and she's working hard.

What a delight it was to be able to share in her joy of some extra special blessings in the form of foodie-approved food pantry treats that aren't readily available through typical assistance models. Delights like blue cheese, fresh produce, and hard-to-find items will make her meals extra special this week.

Choices like some of the ones Leah found last night are what make Grace Care Center stand apart. Choices bring joy. Choices provide dignity. When daily living is heavy and making ends meet is stressful, choices can make all the difference.

Thanks for making a difference for Friends like Leah!