“I can see that there are people that really need food who are getting it.” —MICK

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“I just really like working with people,” says Mick Roach, a volunteer at Foothill Unity Center, a partner agency that works with the LA Food Bank. “I like to smile and I like to make others smile.” Mick sees a lot of smiles at the food pantry. Low-income families can come in monthly for a basket of food staples and weekly for distributions of fresh fruits, vegetables, bread and milk. As Mick helps clients take their food to their cars, she also gets to know them. One of these clients is a homeless mother who comes in every Friday to get food for her children. “She’s still getting her kids to school and making it work.” says Mick. “I’m amazed at some of these people. They’re doing everything they can to provide for their family. They are so appreciative and they don’t take it for granted.”

A legacy of helping others

Although Mick grew up in a family that always had enough, both her parents modeled generosity and giving back. Her father grew up in a poor, sharecropping family where food was scarce. “It’s hard thinking about your dad having to go through those kinds of things.” After her mother’s death, Mick continued a tradition of supporting Foothill Unity’s Christmas meal and gift distribution. Mick’s value for making a difference led her to volunteer regularly with the pantry. “It makes you feel good that you can do this. I can see that there are people that really need food who are getting it,” says Mick. “I want to do whatever I can to make people happy.”

There are many ways you can support the fight against hunger with your time and talent—whether it’s working with our local food pantries and other agencies or volunteering at our warehouse. Learn more here.