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The Faces Behind the Work: Veronica at DCFP

Every Tuesday and Thursday, as the sun rises over Durham, a volunteer named Veronica arrives at the Durham Community Food Pantry (DCFP), a place where volunteers like her create a warm haven for our neighbors in need amid difficult times. As families work through the process to receive assistance, our volunteers ensure that they are assisted in an efficient manner from start to finish.

After the Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Wendeln, greets our neighbors, they move to the intake station where they might get the chance to speak to the hard-working Veronica. She conducts intake interviews at the DCFP two days a week, in addition to volunteering at the Catholic Charities food pantry in Raleigh, Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry (CPO). Veronica speaks with clients, ascertaining their needs, and recording their information in the Catholic Charities database. Veronica transcends any sense of monotony with her natural kindness and empathy, making clients feel welcome. This temperament is essential, as it allows Veronica to earn the trust of our clients every shift, and make our clients feel seen and valued.

Veronica’s contributions embody the Catholic Charities value of “providing help and creating hope.” Through her volunteer work, Veronica not only sustains distributions that feed 350-400 families weekly but also kindles a spark of joy and solidarity among everyone she encounters. Even amidst busy shifts, she finds time to mentor and train new volunteers, ensuring that every intake process runs smoothly

Additionally, Veronica is an advocate for the often-marginalized Hispanic population we serve at the pantry. For many clients, especially those who often feel sidelined by language barriers, Veronica’s fluency in both English and Spanish proves to be transformative and comforting. Whether she is learning about a client’s dietary restrictions to better advise the grocery packing volunteers in the back, guiding someone towards financial and immigration resources, or simply offering a reassuring smile in a familiar language, her efforts ensure that each person feels heard, understood, and valued. Her impact is also felt in her dedication to the pantry, where all the volunteers and staff know that they can count on her every week.

Wendeln said of Veronica, “She’s here every week doing a remarkable job. Her dedication and commitment mean that I never have to worry about being short an intake volunteer.”

Veronica’s story is more than just a tale of volunteer work; it is a narrative of hope, compassion, and the transformative power of one individual’s commitment to making life better for others. Her work not only supports the immediate needs of the community but also forges and strengthens bonds, reminding us all that every act of kindness has the power to change lives.

Thank you, Veronica, for your unwavering dedication and the impact you make in our community!

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