Have you met my friend Ben? Well, let me introduce you then! Ben has served at POM since November 2020, through the AmeriCorps program. If you haven’t heard of AmeriCorps before, their mission is to connect individuals and organizations to help communities tackle their toughest challenges. This service organization connects more than 270,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers each year with organizations around the country – and we’re one of them! So, then. How exactly did Ben get here?
Ben was working as a cashier at a hardware store. But he was bored. He struggled with the thought that he could be doing more. Doing something that mattered. Making an impact. And then POM fell perfectly into his lap. Growing up in Enumclaw, he was already familiar with POM. He had volunteered before, stacking food and supplies when he was younger. A few people recommended him to Elisha, POM’s Executive Director, and the rest is history.
While COVID-19 has changed the social aspect of his position, he looks forward to catching up with clients on Food Bank days, and even spoiling their furry friends. A self-admitted “bad at small talk” kind of guy, he likes listening to what clients have to say. Hearing their stories, circumstances and experiences is the social piece that means the most to him.
When asked about a favorite memory at POM so far, he immediately told me about Hannah*. Hannah* is among our homeless clients who stop by during food bank on Wednesdays. “She is always coming in and picking up for other people. That’s always stuck out to me. Carrying all those heavy bags, getting supplies for multiple people and walking back to where everyone is camped out,” Ben told me. He was struck by her, and many of our homeless clients, upbeat personality and her gratefulness for food.
Beyond the impact our clients have made on him, he’s experienced a community who’s shown “resilience,” he told me. “In my time here, it seems like everybody rolls with what they have and makes the best of any situation. If we don’t have enough of a certain food to give to people, we’re always coming up with something to find a substitute to give people what they need,” Ben said. “Even through COVID-19, we were still getting constant donations from churches and individuals – they are the lifeline of our food bank.”
“Ben was extremely helpful to POM during the pandemic, “ Executive Director, Elisha Smith-Marshall said. “There are some big shoes to fill for the incoming AmeriCorps”. As Ben transitions out this Fall, he plans to transfer from Green River to a four-year university and explore becoming an English major. What has he learned at POM that will help him down the road? He says that POM has helped him come to a full realization of the diversity of people we serve. “Not just racially and ethnically,” Ben said, “but people who are really struggling day to day, week to week, and just need a little bit of help to get back on their feet.”
To be honest, after talking with Ben, I couldn’t get that out of my mind. It was a profound statement. One that reminded me what we’re all about. Crisis looks different to everyone. And no matter how it looks, POM is here to serve. Ben got it and for that, POM is forever grateful.