Dia de Los Muertos at the Food Pantry

Wrestling the Almost-New Fridge Off the Pickle

By Pantry Volunteer Rhea Kuhlman

There was a lot going on at the Pantry as we built up to an exciting Dia de Los Muertos week distribution.  The Sunday before, we finally got our gigantic almost-new commercial refrigerator, transported on Valerie Jaque’s even more giant (and ancient, and extremely green) horse trailer, appropriately dubbed The Pickle.  A hearty team of volunteers, including Robert, Manny, and Jim, valiantly wrestled the old fridge, now hobbling on its very last legs, out the door and adroitly maneuvered the new fridge in, accompanied by vociferous instructions from our devoted team of back seat drivers.
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Jim, Valerie, Manny and Robert Celebrate Fridge Mission Accomplished

Two days later, as Diaper Bank volunteers Louise Titlow and Karen Kircher were loading in a new shipment of diapers, a plumber finally showed up to unclog the drain in the bathroom sink and fix the leak beneath it.  The clog was caused by a problem in the main plumbing line, so the ball now rests in the building owner’s court.

On Saturday, many of our wonderful volunteers showed up in costume and put up decorations to add to the festivities.  The volunteers love to inject some fun into a setting in which such hard work is being done.  
Sonia appeared as the ghostly but bewitching symbol of Day of the Dead, La Catrina, while Nancy brought along her daughter and granddaughter, all in beautiful home-made costumes. 
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Sonia, Nancy, and Robert, all community volunteers, looked forward to returning for the 4 pm church service led by Reverend Omega, who also opened up the worship space Saturday morning for people to enjoy the Dia de Los Muertos altar she had arranged.  Sonia had made a traditional treat to share at the 4 pm service social hour.  Additionally, she had baked a stunning, professional looking wedding cheesecake as a gift for fellow volunteer Dave, who would be celebrating his 27th anniversary that weekend.  The joy and caring shared by our volunteers, some church members and some not, is one of the greatest gifts the Food Pantry has offered.

So, yes, it was a busy week at the Food Pantry.  But then again, so is every week.

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Nancy (far right) poses with her daughter and granddaughter in front of crates of produce

Dia de Las Muertos Decorations

Sonia bags lentils in costume

Rev. Omega’s South Bay Campus Dia De Los Muertos Altar