There are many perspectives on everything in life. I am a volunteer at SHIM, and this is my perspective of the organization.
When I walk into the food pantry on distribution day, I see a bevy of souls working to stock donations on the many shelves, as well as organizing produce and meat for the patrons in need. These folks work tirelessly during bitter cold, in hot sweltering summer days and in the pouring rain and relentless snow and ice.
Nobody likes these harsh conditions, but I hear no nagging complaints, and no one walks out because the conditions are not ideal. Rather, they all know that they serve a greater need, and they continue with pride in their work. Then there are the really nice days when there is plenty of food available and the weather is mild. These are bonus days with many smiles and happy conversations among the volunteers, staff, and the patrons.
I also walk into the reception area where our patrons are waiting patiently for their turn to shop. These folks are the reason we work so hard. They are all different ages, have different ethnic backgrounds and different color skin, but they all share a common need for food assistance to survive or at least provide a better life for their family. They are friendly and happy; they smile and talk with us, sharing their stories and joys. These people are in no way looking for a handout. They are hardworking individuals who have jobs or other sources of income. Their income, however, is not sufficient for all the essentials they need to provide for their household. Many have families three or four times larger than the average household. These are sometimes blended families who come together out of need. They are extended families that come together because of a death or other loss in a related family group. If they are offered food, they may not need at the time, they readily say they have a sufficient supply, so others are not deprived. There are also patrons living by themselves, perhaps on a fixed income or minimum wage. They all contribute to the fabric of our community.
Then there is the SHIM staff. I can guarantee you they are not in it for the money, notoriety or fame. They are at the pantry in the morning before activities commence and are often there after hours. They organize the food donation pickups and store items as needed. They know most of the patrons by name and attend to any special needs. They keep paperwork organized and interface with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for its continuing support. The SHIM staff provide the framework that supports these activities. Our donors, volunteers, and staff are so vital to the continued operation and maintenance of our work.
This is my perspective of SHIM. It is not comprehensive by a long shot, and I’m sure others have different views of the people and the operations. I encourage them to write down their thoughts to share with others. SHIM fills a major need in our community.
At SHIM, no one leaves our doors without food and kind words.
