Class Reunion

Over the summer, several high schools in the area have been having class reunions. I enjoy going to my class reunions. It's a chance to touch base with friends I grew up with. After high school, it is amazing how we all scatter to start jobs, attend college or just plain get away.


I see high school friends from time to time at the food bank, usually they are coming to volunteer with children or grandchildren or maybe drop off a food donation. On those occasions, we have our own "mini-reunion."

A couple of weeks ago, I saw Beau, an old friend from high school. Everybody loved Beau. He had a quick wit and an easy smile. The quick wit and easy smile were still there, but life has been filled with challenges for my friend. He has had his share of problems with substance abuse. One of our agencies is helping Beau get back on his feet. At the moment, he needed some food, so they brought him to the food bank.

Beau and I had our mini-reunion. We reminisced for a few minutes sharing a few stories and catching up. Then it was time for him to go. We loaded his food into a car. He winked at me and said, "Someday, I'll make it. Don't give up on me." I promised I never would.

As Beau left, I thought about the statistics: more than 1 in 6 people in Lubbock will be helped by the food bank and our agencies. The reality of that number hit home. Everyone we serve is someone's friend, brother, sister, mother, father.

That also means that our volunteers, donors, and staff that support South Plains Food Bank are touching 1 in 6 people in our community -- providing food and hope. Sometimes the challenges of feeding the hungry seem insurmountable. Beau is a reminder to not give up. We'll make it.