My mornings at the Echo Food Bank have been switched around quite a bit. No longer are Dani and I behind the scenes together in the warehouse, dancing through the isles sorting food. They've moved me to the front end to check out food for people who come through to pick up their monthly allowances. For the month of February, the government has decided to provide a large bag of frozen chicken parts to each individual who comes through the food bank. Check it out guys, I am the lucky lady who gets to separate these bags from their fellows and the chunks of frozen chicken blood liquid that have formed around the bags!! (It's a nice daily confirmation of my reasoning for a vegetarian life style)
The people who come through the food bank, however, have quite the opposite reaction. Most are thrilled and extremely grateful to receive meat in any form and this makes it so much easier to pull on my blue latex gloves and bag it up for them. I've really enjoyed working in the front and having the opportunity to talk to everyone who comes through. The majority of the Food Bank's dependents are seniors and most are very friendly. I've had many pleasant conversations with people who come through, some even thank me for my service with smiles and hugs. Although I've come to doubt the quality of much of the government issued food we distribute, I'm glad there is at least something to give these people who are so grateful for the help.
Club life has been busy and slightly chaotic at times with around 300 kids coming through everyday. Our team gets split up each afternoon working in different areas of the club including the gym, homework room, art room, game room, and park. I've been doing my photography class once a week at the main club and once at the Hilltop branch a few miles out of town on Fridays. Many of the kids have shown a lot of excitement for the class, or perhaps just for using cameras, but I've had more success at Hilltop where there are fewer kids as the club only has five digital cameras I can distribute. On the days I'm not doing photography I'm usually all over the place in multiple areas of the club throughout the day. As the weather gets warmer, my favorite location is easily the park where it's easier to get involved in games with the kids and let them be wild and crazy instead of having to enforce rules and invent activities with limited space indoors.
Melika and Niah, the two gals I would hang out with if I were a club member!
Here's Donnie! He moved here with his family from China a few months ago without knowing a word of English. He's a lot of fun to hang out with and is known for his extreme facial expressions. (This ones just a smile, you should see his look of confusion)
Here's Erik being chased by a mob of children!
Last weekend our team took a day trip to nearby Mesa Verde National Park and checked out the ancient Puebloan Ruins. The park was beautiful, the ruins so ancient, the team moral very high. It was a great day. We experienced snow, sun, and bushels of fun!
Here's a couple of links to more photos on my facebook
Farmington Photos and Mesa Verde
Phone Photos
I'll leave you with some adorable puppies that came to visit at Hilltop friday!
PUPPIEEEEEESS!!
