If you walk into the Orangevale Food Bank on any food distribution day, you’re sure to see a familiar face every time. Volunteer Dorothy Jones, the “detail diva” – a nickname earned for her exceptional record keeping and reporting skills – has been greeting neighbors (community members seeking services and support) since the Food Bank opened in 2011. Dorothy is part of the superstar front office team with fellow registration clerks, Lisa Okomura and Betsy Atkins.

Greeting the community with a warm smile and a full heart is nothing new for Dorothy. Since 2010, Dorothy has also volunteered at the Orangevale Seventh Day Adventist Church Community Services Food and Clothes Closet, performing a similar intake function for our Orangevale neighbors seeking support. At the church, Dorothy automated the paper registration process by converting everything over electronically to a computer based system, where the entire process – registration, record keeping, and reporting – is now faster and more efficient.

And while the logistics of managing the registration process and subsequent reporting is important, it’s not what drives registration attendants to that position. What makes OVFB volunteers Dorothy, Lisa and Betsy special is their level of engagement with the neighbors that come to the Food Bank each week. It’s difficult to keep current on the details of the 1,000+ people served each month, yet their personal investment in spending time with neighbors coupled with the notes they keep in the computer system enable them to work as “compassionists” during the intake process. They ask about families, share job opportunities they might hear about, offer prayers, provide hope, and genuinely care deeply about every person that walks through the Orangevale Food Bank’s door. “I love meeting and interacting with people. Helping those with struggles and helping to alleviate the burdens from their shoulders – that’s why we’re here,” commented Dorothy.

On behalf of the OVFB, we thank Dorothy for her many contributions to our team, our neighbors and our community.