Food Assistance, Inc.

I have served in this nonprofit for 17 years and it has been consistently serving the low income seniors of Guilford County with healthy food every single month. I take each recipient a bag of nonperishables and a bag of frozen food. Substitutions are made, if possible, for people who are on restricted diets or are diabetics. It has been my pleasure to deliver food to many of our seniors and some have become close friends of mine.
This is an organization worthy of recognition.

Every third Friday a team of us from church pack and deliver food to older people who run out of food about that time of the month. We see the growing need and how hard the director, Jane Carlson,works to make sure all of the 400 recipients have some food for the last week of the month before they receive SNAP again. It requires monumental dedication on Jane's part and a deep belief that what we all do matters. We are proud to contribute to such a well-run and effective organization.

I first learned of Food Assistance, Inc. when I was an undergrad at UNCG in 2014. Although it started as a project for a class, I quickly learned the importance of this nonprofit. I first volunteered in the warehouse packing groceries for area seniors with limited resources. My project partner and I then got the privilege to deliver necessary groceries to some of Greensboro's "hidden treasures," as Jane Carlson (Executive Director) calls them. FAI provides groceries for seniors with limited resources as their income from social security or pension, etc. does not cover groceries for the entire month; the bag of groceries from FAI helps to extend their month, to get them to their next check, that last week of the month. Not only groceries, FAI provides fellowship and faith. Deliverers get a chance to chat with seniors and provide loving fellowship. My husband and I have since become grocery deliverers and visit with our "regulars" every month. We spend time with them then ask to pray with them, if they desire, and share God's love. To be honest, we always end our delivery days saying that we get more blessings from our interactions than they get from the groceries. They truly are some of Greensboro's hidden treasures. This nonprofit is a gem of a project, hidden from the limelight, but requires attention just the same - because it is making a difference in Greensboro, one grocery bag at a time. Consider volunteering one Saturday a month!

As a Volunteer representing First Lutheran Church of Greensboro, Nc , assisting in the packing and sorting of food products to be delivered to the Senior Citizens that are being helped through the Food Assistance program. This program has been a tremendous help in our community and in my opinion is doing a significant job in helping the elderly . As a non profit organization it is run in a most proficient manner with experienced leadership.

As a former volunteer and now a Board member for Food Assistance Inc (FAI) I have seen firsthand how much this program has meant to the elderly community in Guilford County. FAI delivers groceries during the third week of the month, a crucial time because other food resources tend to have been used up and participants are left with at least another week to find a way to meet their food needs. Additionally, FAI provides nutrition education and works very hard to provide a variety of nutritious foods to participants. It is a wonderful program that is helping to improve food security among a very vulnerable population.

I want to personally thank Food Assistance Groceries on Wheels for adding a new spirit of giving in my life. Food assistance has allowed me to realize just how blessed we are by God to live in a country where people care so much for those in need. Food Assistance has allowed me to see poverty, poor living conditions in a whole new light and forced me to appreciate what God has blessed me with on a new spiritual level.

My spirit of giving was motivated by the loss of my job in 2009. I felt compelled to understand my circumstances by helping others in need. After my first meeting with Jane I wanted to get involved. Delivering food is now a monthly highlight as my 12 year old Autistic son and I go from home to home in High Point North Carolina, hugging, praying and shaking hands with those in need of food.

God has blessed me more than ever before and to Food Assistance I offer a sincere thank you.

Kenneth Laird,
Marketing Director / Food Assistance Inc. Groceries on Wheels

Testimonials written by my grandsons: WHAT FOOD ASSISTANCE MEANS TO ME

“Food Assistance has really made a difference in my life. Every third Saturday of the month I get to put smiles on the elderly faces by something as little as giving them some food. As a sports player involved in basketball and football teams I love to play, there's nothing better except donating my time & prayer making people happy. So as a volunteer member of the food assistance program I am asking you to get involved in any way you can~cause there is nothing better than making people smile.” Nate Wyse~age 14



“Food assistance is very joyful because we help people who don't have food. Also it is fun to pray for their friends, family and health. We ask people to come to our church. The funnest part is singing holy songs with them and their grandchildren. (: John 6:9 says “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Just $4.92 will buy a bag of food for them.” Traycee Wyse~age 10



“For me Food Assistance program made feel sorry for the elderly people and the hardships they are going through. Some live in facilities with no family around them. It makes me feel good to let them know as Christian people we care and want to help them.” Austin Wyse~ age 17



submitted by Karen A. Johnston, FAI Board member/volunteer November 23, 2014

Up close personal story with Jessie Lee Howard February 25, 2014 She has had a lasting impact on me and continues to inspire me with encouragement.
Well I first met Jessie over the phone in February 29, 2013. She was spry and talkative and said that she was being referred by Paula at the Shepherd Center. I explained that usually we do an in-home interview before someone is added. She said that she understood since she had worked in volunteer organizations a lot and understood that there are criteria and a correct way for things to go. You know how you just like someone instantly…Jessie is one of those people. Over the phone we had an instant bond as she reminded me of my grandmother with her strength of character and likeability. She was added to the program and has had several volunteers. Well today was our second meeting and some personal time together. Jessie has been one of my “cheerleaders” over the year. She calls every month and updates and cheers me on!
Jessie is 83 and will celebrate a birthday February 27 turning 84! When I ask her where she was born she said Colfax, NC and it is pronounced Cal-fax not Col-fax! We talked about how people moving into the area try to pronounce it a different way…but she said is still Cal-fax with an “o” spelling. Jessie’s preacher husband Walter Vann has passed on in 2012 but she still speaks fondly of him.
I was greeted at the door by Shikita a poodle mix dog who was her husband’s dog but now her constant companion. Jessie was a specialty nurse (she said “incubator work”), labor and delivery, for many years at Moses Cone/Wesley Long and then she worked with a community center and eventually the American Red Cross for 20 years.
Her home is now a little run down and overflowing with stuff because she is not able to deal with it…but she is fun to talk with and get to know. She has 2 children. Her son lives in Raleigh and her daughter is a cancer survivor. She said that her biggest struggles are paying the electric bill and getting food. She is so grateful for the food each month and especially likes the frozen strawberries. She said that she is not a “beggar”, but “please bring some strawberries if possible.”
Going some miles and bringing some smile! Food Assistance has a great impact on Participant seniors and volunteers...be a part and give some heart!
Jane Y Carlson 2.24.2014

I serve as a board member but have volunteered for this organization for the past three years by delivering groceries to the elderly in my community. The first time that I delivered I was impressed with the effort that volunteers put into this program and it was easy to see that this organization positively impacts so many individuals. On my first delivery I found individuals sitting on their doorsteps waiting in anticipation for the food that I was going to deliver. It wasn't just the food that they were interested in but also the companionship that is provided and the relationship that forms between volunteers and the individuals they deliver to. This organization so directly impacts the lives of those who need it and does an amazing job at serving those in the community who need it the most. I fully support this organization and the hard work of it's volunteers!