The “Super People” of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

I had the privilege of going to Staff Day at the Food Bank today. Twice a year the entire hundred plus members of the staff from all six branches comes together. This year hurricane Mathew caused the Food Bank to cancel the earlier staff day due to the overwhelming amount of work a hurricane causes the Food Bank. That made this the one and only day for training and staff appreciation. This year of all years they needed to be appreciated with the overwhelming mount of extra work the move to the new building and a natural disaster happening at the same time caused, on top of providing food weekly.

My friend and fellow board member Amy Gamber had the job of obtaining prizes and swag bags for the whole staff. Board members answered her request to donate things. I wish I had been there when they pulled the tickets to see who won the Yeti coolers, something the staff seemed excited to win. Thanks to other board members Octavio Soares and Debbie Aiken who also worked to make today happen.

It was my job to thank the staff during lunch. As each group finished their work session they came and lined up for lunch in the shopping warehouse. They could smell the burgers being grilled outside and see the spinach and potato salads in huge bowls in front of them. In no way did I want to delay them getting their lunch so I opted to let them all start eating and talk to them after everyone got through the line. It is no prize to listen to someone talk when you are hungry.
 I chose to liken them to Superman from the old 1950’s TV show, which I first had to describe to them since most of them were not born when it ran on TV. I told them about the opening of the show where the announcer described mild mannered reporter Clark Kent, being a hero in plain site, was actually Superman.” I told the staff that to me and the hundreds of thousands of people they provide food to they are the true “Super people” of North Carolina. They are mild mannered and not attention seeking, but save lives all the time. They are better than a man who can leap tall buildings in a single bound.
It was somewhat bitter sweet for me since this will be my last staff day on the board. Despite the staff having sexual harassment training today I asked many of my friends there if I could give them a hug. No one turned me down. The Food Bank is a hugging kind of place. They reach their arms out around the community and give it a hug everyday. Their selflessness and generosity of their spirit and time is the greatest super power there is. Hail to the Food Bank Staff.