Eleven years ago, Sheila first arrived at the Lakes Area Nourish food bank as a client. “I had a house, I had a business. I got sick and I lost everything.”
She experienced homelessness for about five months, until she got into an apartment. The food bank helped her get back on her feet.
“Even people who have jobs are just one step from being homeless. You never know what life is going to bring you.” She says. “Things are not for sure.”
Since that first visit to the food bank eleven years ago, Sheila has been coming back to volunteer. She now volunteers twice a week for a few hours each visit. She does a little bit of everything at the Lakewood based food bank, but she mostly helps with their small clothing bank there. She sorts donations and gets them organized for the clients.
“I can’t do too much physically, but volunteering made me feel better about myself.” She says. “It’s for my peace of mind that I am here.”
She volunteers to give back. “I don’t feel right just taking and it feels good to give back. It just gives me an opportunity to help others.”