I arrived at the Second Harvest Food Bank Wednesday morning to put in a day’s work. I wish I could say I was there because I’m a fantastic person looking to help others, or that I thought it would make for a wonderful column. In truth, I was serving out my final day of penance for a traffic violation I’d incurred earlier in the year. The option of spending a day at the golf course doing janitorial work was available, but I figured I’d broaden my Alternative Work Program horizons, and actually serve the community – while I served the community.

It made for a wonderfully awkward morning interface. “Hi I’m Chris, the Sheriff’s Department sent me here. I was hoping to get a few pictures of the day” I said as I entered the office. Moments like this are compounded by the fact that the Bulletin still hasn’t issued me a press pass. Whether they are scared of the trouble I’d undoubtedly find with one, or just enjoy keeping my affiliation at an arm’s length – it forces me to rely on guile and charm in many situations. Believe me, there is no tougher spot to be in, than attempting to take a picture of a kid’s lemonade stand for the column, while wearing a pair of dirty farm coveralls and flip flops – which is my preferred tractor attire – and having a mother approach. The “Hi, I’m a columnist that writes for the paper” explanation, usually just beats her call to 911.

 Luckily in this case Second Harvest Director of Operations Paul Rodrigues recognized me. After we both chuckled at my expense, he was more than willing to let me snap a few pictures, and attempt to get a story out of the day.

Entering the warehouse from the office was a little mind blowing. In my head, a food bank was a large cardboard container sitting beside a building. I’d envisioned a day of sitting in a chair, as old ladies drop of bags of canned beets and green beans – after cleaning their pantry. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was a massive warehouse. Roughly the size of two Manteca High Winter gyms. (I’d have said one East Union High Dalben Center – but want people to feel comfortable eating food from Second Harvest). It turns out not only to be the largest in the county, but one of a kind in the volume of food it ships to our surrounding areas. Several semi – trucks lined up and awaited on the many forklifts to load them up.

 This is when I met Matt Aguirre the Warehouse Supervisor. He gave me the lowdown on the job at hand. I’d be putting together pallets of food to be shipped out to various entities. Places like Give Every Child a Chance, Food 4 Thought, and Senior Brown Bag are just a few of the Second Harvest stops. What really surprised me was seeing towns like Lodi and Tracy on my order sheets. Matt explained that Second Harvest was not only the largest provider, but had the longest reach stretching across not only San Joaquin County, but reaching Stanislaus, Merced, and five Mother Lode counties providing 13.5 million pounds of food to those in need in our area. of which roughly 2 million pounds is fresh produce. He explained that sadly fresh produce is unattainable to many people, due to lack of finances, or simply having no access to grocery stores.

I went about my business putting together food orders ranging from crates of apples – to scalloped potatoes. The forklift would arrive every so often to usher away a full load. This is when I met Merle Fletcher the Inventory Specialist. He drove a forklift the way Jimmie Johnson does a race car – fast and precise. He pulled up quick and hit me with “Hey, I here you’re a comic”. Apparently friend Jessica Vaughn, who works in the office, had gotten word out that I was in the warehouse – and that newspaper photo ops may be taking place. I waited for him to ask the prerequisite “Hey tell me a joke”, something that comics hate – but he never did instantly making Merle the coolest dude in the warehouse in my book. I asked him if I could get a picture for the paper. “Nope, I’m not that kinda guy” he answered. Then Merle made the most important revelation of the day to me. He pointed to a large sliding metal door...and on the other side of it was Warehouse Heaven. The walk in cooler! Not your average walk in – but probably 2,000 square feet of frosty joy. The warehouse is a muggy miserable place midday, and the cooler made for a perfect 5 minute sneak off.

The day drug on, as I internalized in thought. Who eats this many poppy seed crackers? I wonder exactly how many carrots are in that crate? Why did I drive without a license? How bad will my Raiders be this year? I had reached the point where it had officially become punishment. After all, that’s what I was there for. but I took a look around. There is definitely a prevailing spirit in the warehouse, one that shows itself in the faces of a group of people that take pride in putting in a hard days’ work to provide for those less fortunate than themselves. I usually find myself trudging through life at about a C- on the daily optimism scale. It was about 2 p.m. when I was pushed up to an A+.

A group of teenagers came into the warehouse, and began sorting and packing in a section next to mine. Ever the cynical curmudgeon, I wondered what traffic violation they had committed to be sentenced to the day’s chore. Matt Aguirre informed me that they were there voluntarily. What? My nosy journalistic nature took over, as I crept ever closer. They were actually smiling and enjoying the day. I approached and introduced myself. Once again without a press pass – and now sporting a green vest that signified “This man is a traffic violator!” — not a Second Harvest employee. The group leader was very pleasant and explained that they were with Youth Limited, and were doing their Summer Missionary work. Kids from Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Michigan had set foot in our hometown – with one sole mission – to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Traffic violation penance or not – my entitled little Grinch heart grew three sizes. It feels great to see the youth of America putting out their own message. One of work ethic mixed with a little compassion. They understood how fortunate they to come from good homes and families – and didn’t mind being in a hot Manteca warehouse to give back to humanity.

 I even shared the secret of the hidden walk in cooler to a few — “Behind that door is ice cold warehouse heaven...”...and then instantaneously realized how creepy that sounded coming from a man in a neon green vest.

I snapped a picture of the kids for the paper. They were staying in Ripon until Saturday, and I promised them a newspaper photo in today’s paper. Aand if the kids from Youth Limited are reading this now, I extend a hearty “Thank you” from the people in our town. You traveled across the country to donate time – something that those within our own community are encouraged to do.

 In the words of Jessica Vaughn, “ People can donate time, talent or treasure. For every $1 in monetary donations we receive, we can purchase $5 worth of food because of our partnership with Feeding America. We are also incredibly blessed that so many stores, distribution centers and farmers believe in our mission and also provide us with the food in the warehouse....1 in 4 kids suffer from food insecurity and 1 in 5 adults in our area suffer. Our ultimate goal is to feed people in the most efficient manner possible. “

 Quote of the Week: “Success is not final, Failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

“It’s not Where ya do, It’s What ya do”



Cateicheira@hotmail.com