Vanessa is one of the Food Bank’s newest volunteers, but her connection to our mission goes deeper than volunteering. As a loving mother of three, she understands firsthand the impact a helping hand can make.

Last Thanksgiving, Vanessa’s family found themselves in a difficult situation. Needing help, she visited one of the Food Bank’s Community Partner food pantries and was able to receive enough groceries to prepare a holiday meal for her family.

“It filled up my fridge. I was so happy and thankful,” Vanessa said. “I couldn’t have made it through Thanksgiving without the Food Bank.”

At first, Vanessa was hesitant to visit a food pantry, fearing she would be judged. Instead, she was met with kindness and compassion.

“Everyone was professional,” she said. “It made me want to love other people better.”

That experience inspired Vanessa to give back. She signed up to volunteer with the Food Bank and was excited to help others in our community.

“When people give, it inspires other people to give,” she said.

Vanessa has a passion for learning and is currently pursuing a degree in Business Technology at Louisiana Delta Community College. Vanessa shared that as a mother, she hopes to encourage her children to become the best versions of themselves and to always lead with kindness and compassion.