Innvision The Way Home
I work at the Food Closet for only a few hours a week, but I really enjoy the work and the wonderful co-workers, and helping the people who come in for supplies. Everyone in need has their own individual story and we get to know them a bit. From the feedback I hear from many clients, the Food Closet is a very important resource for them. Some are mentally ill and homeless, others have lost jobs and are temporarily staying with a relative or sleeping in their car and hoping to get back on their feet quickly. The Food Closet is a place an individual or family can come, without shame, to get some extra food and nutrition to make it through the week. Clients may come and "shop" up to 2x per week and very often leave with a healthy delicious bag of groceries with a balanced nutritional make-up. Palo Alto is a generous community with many resources and the "larder" at Food Closet reflects that bounty. Very often we hand out cartons of whole, organic milk and yogurt, or bags of home-grown produce from neighborhood gardens. Restaurants often donate whole meals such as rice and beans or pasta with turkey sauce. We always try to keep on hand small servings of condiments such as sugar, salt, coffee, spices -- this can lend not just flavor to a homeless person's meal, but dignity as well. I've personally seen the results of this organization in... I've seen and heard the results of this organization from weekly testimony from clients. We get to know many of them and develop a friendly camaraderie as we help them make the best choices for their needs. We have one client who is pleased when we have food in jars with a certain type of screw-on lid because "the squirrels can open the others." Others are grateful for the reliability of Food Closet and the consistency of good food and groceries available. Some are diabetic and have to stay away from certain foods but still can get a full complement of groceries, while others love sweets and leave with a piece of pumpkin pie and a pastry with a smile on their face. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
see above
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ability to be of service in my own community right close to home. I've worked at other food kitchens, but the FC is more personal and bc of its small size, allows workers the opportunity to do many different jobs such as computer registration...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
excellent. Very fair & open-minded & good at what they do. I find the other volunteers to be like-minded individuals who also enjoy the work. It requires a certain amount of understanding & compassion and I find that all the people who work here have both
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I came to the PA Food Closet 22 years ago as a volunteer working a weekly two hour shift. As years passed and the organization grew and changed, I agreed to become a part of the management team. I have managed for about two years with 4 other talented and committed women who have become my friends along with so many of our clients. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The food we dispense is critical for many of our clients and helpful to others trying to make ends meet. Our most valuable service, I think, is meeting (serving) our clients with hospitality and respect.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No comment
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Coming face-to-face with so many beautiful people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, warm, respectful people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
establish an endowment fund to be drawn upon.
Ways to make it better...
there were an allotment for consistent repair and upkeep of our quarters.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Dwindling donations as demand rises.
One thing I'd also say is that...
No comment
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I volunteer with a fun, kind group of people who want to help out their community. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
becoming more personally aware of the needs of the homeless in our community.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, flexible, compassionate, understanding.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
The need in our community is growing. I have worked here for several years and feel personally related to our group. We work well together, help each other with difficulties and leave feeling "a job well done!" (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The wonderful attitude of the volunteers.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The diversity of the people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
All very giving, friendly people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Feed and clothe all the needy in the area.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been volunteering at the Food Closet for the last year and a half. I have known about it and its service to the community since its inception. Before coming to the Food Closet - and continuing to the present - I have helped raise money for the Opportunity Center and am a coordinator for the Hotel de Zink, housed at my church during the month of March.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the help it gives to unhoused individuals and those in need of extra help during these difficult economic times.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Sense of community with other volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
caring, compassionate, firm, helpful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
give significant to unhoused individuals and families in our community.
Ways to make it better...
I can't think of anything - this is the highlight of my week!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Lack of donations during the economic downturn.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Perhaps volunteers could visit middle school and high school groups to explain the needs of this community (ex. food drives should go throughout the year, not just during the holidays; clothing needs, etc) and get them involved/engaged
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been volunteering here for over two years. It's a wonderful group of people to work with! Selfishly, my circle of friends has widened. Unselfishly, it makes a big difference to have a hands-on approach to the difficulties the homeless and mentally disabled face on a daily basis (lack of food, shelter, and maybe above all human warmth). (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The growing number of clients, the fund-raisers, the positive effect of word-of-mouth.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
again, selfishly, the feeling of making a bit of a difference and the terrific people I work with.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Committed, hard-working, community-oriented, big-hearted, smiling most of the time. Lee Schroeder, who manages the FC on Thursdays is a very hard-working and committed manager. So is Pat Keicher on Fridays. They're amazing women.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Serve more people, expand, never go short on supplies.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
(Director) Lori became by savior during "stop" gave me the benefit of the doubt. The program keeps me safe, gives me support, above and beyond. Most staff is very empathic. Most fellow clients are very nice. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
myself, fellow clients. Case management is great, support, and follow thru, patience, empathetic!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
empathy
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Great!!!!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Make a world of difference for communities to feel accepted (mental health).
Ways to make it better...
It's as good as it could get.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Only issue I have is lack of sleep :(
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have had a very hard time. For several months. Then i found out that Innvision could and would help me. They have and I am grateful. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Many people can and have made positive changes in their lives
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make roles stick more.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
all the resources they have and helped me while I've done them.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Above and beyond. God Bless.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help more people, men and women.
Ways to make it better...
I did not have fee time
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Myself
One thing I'd also say is that...
More money please
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
In April 2001 I was mourning the loss of one of my oldest and closest friends. I needed to get out of myself, and to connect with the community doing something useful for other people. I'd walked past the Food Closet often and one day saw a sign on the door saying that volunteers were needed. Almost on the spur of the moment I walked in. I've been glad I did so ever since. By pure chance it was Friday, between 2 and 4, and so I met the Friday day managers, Sandra Dhuey and Pat Keicher. I should state that most of what I saw applies to my experiences with them and my fellow volunteers on the shift. I've seen the results of this organization in... The Food closet provides food for cooking (not meals) as its basic service. There is no doubt this is needed in our community. People we serve have frequently expressed their appreciation for the food, and even those that don't testify to its essentiality indicate it because they come back and obviously rely on what we do. I have learned that we provide other, less tangible services. Our clientele are mostly pretty marginal in terms of social contacts. They value the Food Closet (at least the 2-4 Friday shift) because it is a place to go where they are treated with respect, where they are known, greeted, and asked after, and where they can get information on a wide range of other services e don't provide but to which we can refer them. I know this is true because of the way people act, because they return at the same time, and because on a questionnaire we asked several people said they liked to come to the Food Closet because "nobody treated them like they were low-lifes." Several clients have said that to me too. The staff were... I deeply admire Sandra and Pat for their qualities as excellent managers. Not every volunteer is equally good at every task, and Sandra and Pat do a very good job of making sure everyone can handle the variety of jobs needed by making best use of each of our particular abilities. When they go on vacation, we formally have a substitute manager, but I think they must find it an easy job because in fact all the long-term volunteers can work our shift with minimal oversight because we all have our jobs, can do others' if necessary, share the cleanup, and have confidence in making the decisions volunteers need to make, because we've had confidence put in us. We are a team. I bet these two women, Sandra and Pat, could be making good money somewhere, but their managerial skills wouldn't be either more needed or more appreciated! Even more important, I respect them for their relationship with our clients. They have decades-long acquaintance with some of them, and are regarded with respect and often affection. Skills usually considered part both of social work and psychological-social work are often necessary for dealing with our clients, for both volunteers and managers. The managers relate to our clients with humor, tact, patience, and compassion. The volunteers were...Long-term: I'd say all are doing good work and always to the best of their abilities, which range from good to superb, at various jobs, as is true in any organization I think. Some of the volunteers have actually blossomed remarkably themselves, in terms of their social abilities and developing skills to deal with a sometimes-difficult clientele. Mid-term (months to a year): I'd say generally well-meaning and reliable. We had one first-rate high school volunteer for a couple of years who had good organizational abilities and developed them during her time here. We also had one first-rate student volunteer from China. She was especially helpful in working with our numerous elderly Chinese clients with limited English. When she went home to Beijing she left us an array of hand-printed signs in Chinese to which I still direct my clients quite often. One thing I'd also say is... Occasionally, better communication from above-the-managers level to volunteers. My one irritation - which is pretty minor, and 1 in 8 years is pretty minimal- concerned a recent change in regulations. We put some in for hygienic reasons during swine-flu season, which our clients understood and appreciated. But we were also told to ask for identification from everybody. Neither they or I were told why - I asked and no one seemed to know - and some of the clients were offended and I found it embarrassing to demand ID from people I've known for 8 years. I'd have liked to see a more flexible policy where volunteers were asked to get ID from anyone they didn't know. As I volunteer I'd have liked a good explanation for the ID requirement, and one I could have given the clients, like the one about the swine flu regulations. (Entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
See first section
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I think managers and boards could answer this question better.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I enjoy being able to assist people, many of whom I've come to know and respect over the years. I enjoy the other people on my shift: my Day Managers, Sandra Dhuey and Pat Keicher, and my fellow volunteers, especially the long-term ones.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
See first section
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
From my point of view in this organization, my wish list would be: - MORE FOOD. Serve more people. -Somewhat larger office-counter space -Be able to serve hot drinks to clients in winter - I'd like to have an enclosed space - New shelving
Ways to make it better...
Personally, I couldn't have asked for a better experience
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Same as above, I would guess it's not having enough money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
See first section
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
As someone who does a lot of research on poverty, I like coming here because it reminds me of the faces behind the statistics. (entered by GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of reviewer)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
gratitude from some clients.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
provide a caseworker here once or twice a month. Not everybody is comfortable going to the opportunity center.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
getting to know the clients, comradery with others volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
fun, caring, reliable, smart.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide more casework to connect people with resources, services, crisis intervention.
Ways to make it better...
someone provided the Chinese-speaking clients who live at Lytton Gardens with a checklist in Chinese (and our rules).
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
pulling in more donations (food + cash)
One thing I'd also say is that...
provide periodic orientations for FC volunteers about all services available at op center.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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