Today at the food bank there were 31 clients waiting for the doors to open at 10am. Unusual. Typically there's 10-15. Grateful for the sun & warmer temps to keep them comfortable while they waited.

Today at the food bank I learned that we received a $12k grant to improve our home goods room! (Affectionately called "my" room, since I'm the one who goes through donations & help clients get what they need.)

Today at the food bank I put out a bunch of summer shoes. We were given a donation of 20 pairs of flip flops in various sizes last fall so it felt so good to clean everything out & get it all sized & organized.

Today at the food bank an item from last week was discovered in a client's bag. It was fish, judging by the wretched stench.

Today at the food bank was just a regular day. Donations in, donations out. People asking for frying pans that aren't peeling & king sized sheets. I have neither. (Sorry.)

Today at the food bank has been hectic. 44 clients served in 2 hours.

Today at the food bank a client complained that we didn't have coffee for the 4th straight week. I empathize. Wouldn't you be grumpy, too?

Today at the food bank we had to crank up the AC because it was stupidly warm in the house & we were afraid that some of the perishables would spoil.

Today at the food bank I spent 2 hours going through bag after bag of donations. Most were winter clothes, unfortunately. We're in desperate need for shorts and summer shoes. (But hey, clients will be warmly dressed this winter.)

Today at the food bank it's hot and clients are cranky. Doing my best to put an empathetic smile on my face and putting out positive energy and thoughts to them.

Today at the food bank a volunteer was stocking shelves with BBQ sauce when one of the glass bottles shattered, spraying sauce and glass everywhere. What a mess. I checked the glass of the 3 others in the package & they all had tiny cracks in the bottom, just waiting to burst. (This is why I never wear nice clothes to the food bank. It's dirty work sometimes. And yes, the volunteer will need new shoes.)

Today at the food bank someone donated a shoebox full of scarves- square silk ones, long cotton flowy ones, shorter hand stitched ones, lovely colors, soft textures. Hanging them was the highlight of my time there today. (Other than when the Older Kidlet popped in to say, "Hey Mom. Need anything?" He's a good kid. 5 days & he's off to college. Wow.)

Today at the food bank someone donated a super soft mermaid's tail blanket which is odd because a client last week asked if we had one for her soon to be 9 yr old daughter. Score! I love when this happens! I brought it home & washed it & it's even softer.

Today at the food bank I snuck an extra bag of dog food into a client's bag for their sweet doggy.

Today at the food bank I started putting out cold weather clothes. Boo, winter. I also stayed to help unload the CT Foodshare delivery truck.

Today at the food bank we were short staffed. Despite this, we received multiple boxes of food donated by a family who were cleaning out a deceased relative's pantry. Our shelves are full of items that we don't typically carry. Clients are going to be very happy tomorrow.

Today at the food bank I went through donations which included this gem.

Photo is a hand painted on a slab of slate colonial scene- a white house with black roof, a flag pole to the left of the house, with the words "My Country Tis of Thee" on top and "Swett Land of Librty" (obviously misspelled) on the bottom.

Today at the food bank a client's car died. When I was leaving I noticed her sitting there so I walked over to see what was up. She started to get upset explaining that she knew it was acting up but they don't have money for a new battery. She was embarrassed to come back in & ask for help but her husband wasn't answering. I told her to go back in & ask for a visa gift card so she had some help with paying for it.

Today at the food bank was my 3rd day in a row going through donations. I took 2 weeks off and there was about 30 bags of clothes and coats waiting. It was dirty work. So many bad smells & so much pet hair. Immediately came home & showered. 😖

Today at the food bank we started planning for Christmas. Clients fill out a wish list- they're allowed one item for themselves & any other adults in the house and 2 items for children under 18. One client asked for yarn for charity knitting & I was like- "Do not buy any! I'll bring in all she'll need." Getting a bag together and putting it in my car while it's fresh in my mind. (Now if I can just remember to take it out next week while I'm there.)

Today at the food bank I was late (😖 Older Kidlet's car battery was dead & he needed my attention) but I still managed to go through 2 bags of donated coats (YAY) in great condition. Please wash stuff before donating, especially coats. We're running low on them so clients are only allowed to take one. Not per family member - just one. Sigh.

Today at the food bank were all having to fake it until we make it. (Crumpy face.)

Today at the food bank clients are allowed to take 2 ornaments from a selection of about 40 that were donated yesterday. They're all in like-new condition and clients are loving them. It's definitely changing the vibe around here. ♥️

Today at the food bank we gave out toys & other wish list gifts for clients, along with $50 gift cards to each family for our local market. (One anonymous family in town donated all the gift cards- 100 in total. Incredibly generous!!)

Today at the food bank was quiet, which we were #grateful for because we didn't get food deliveries for 2 weeks due to Christmas and New Year's Day being on our typical delivery day (Mondays).

Today at the food bank someone donated 5 or 6 obviously well used snorkels, a plastic grocery bag filled with other grocery bags that were all sticky & unusable & 17 bottles of cheap bubble bath.

Today at the food bank I worked for 2 hours upstairs in the donations room, going through bag after bag of clothing. Photo is me, a white woman with glasses & a Yankees ball cap on standing in front of a rack of men's shirts & a rack of other clothing. I still have SO much to do. This is my project for the 5 weeks I'm off- to organize a house that is inorganizable. (Is inorganizable a word? It is now!)

Today at the food bank I took home the most glorious unicorn sweater that's been kicking around for months. I put it in the sweater rack & people commented on it, then for the last 2 weeks it's been on display right in front and no one took it so I asked everyone who walked in today to please take it. No one wanted it so I nabbed it. It's in the wash. I'm going to wear this thing proudly. It has sequins and a bell. You are going to be so jealous. Unicorn. Sequins! A BELL. How do you refuse??

Today at to food bank I went through donations that included:

An old remote control (dirty & sticky)
An unopened calendar from 2003
2 sticks of deodorant, expired 1997
A broken jewelry box
Opened bottle of Avon hand lotion, expired in 2016
Used nail files
Coffee mug with dried coffee in the bottom (yes, moldy)
Moth-holed sweater (I rescued this for mending practice!)

We don't need any of these things. Please don't donate obvious junk.