Archives for April 21, 2026

“I just want all of you to know that you have brought a spark of hope back into my family’s life… my first time here, I had lost all hope. Thank you for bringing that back.”

That’s how one of nearly 200 guests described their experience at Twin Lakes Food Bank in response to a recent guest survey. Our food bank is more than a place to get food; it’s a place where people are seen, valued, and cared for. Ninety-eight percent of guests said they felt welcomed from their very first visit. Again and again, we heard the same sentiment:

“The staff and volunteers feel like family.”
“I love how much the volunteers care.”
“I’ve come in on my worst day and left feeling on top of the world.”

These kind words reflect the food bank’s intentionality to create a culture of dignity, connection, and compassion. Over 90% of guests shared that the groceries they receive help them afford other essentials, like rent and prescriptions, to make ends meet. Guests identified that the most needed items include fresh meat, produce, and dairy which are made possible through strong grocery store partnerships. But beyond the data, one truth stands out: people don’t just leave with groceries—they leave with hope.

At Twin Lakes Food Bank, a visit feels different from other food banks the moment a guest arrives. They are welcomed by name, met with warm smiles, and guided by volunteers who take the time to learn their story—remembering a child’s milestone, asking how the broken foot is healing—and offer a sense of connection that goes beyond the food itself. Guests’ feedback on the survey expressed that they feel seen, valued, and supported. Because when you belong to a village cheering you on, even the hardest days begin to feel a little more manageable.

Heather’s story might resemble many of our own. She had a safe home with her three young children filled with love and stability, surrounded by family and community. That’s probably where the similarities end. While we were watching the war between Russia and Ukraine break out on television, Heather’s family was living it from their small village in Ukraine.

The war forced Heather and her family to flee their home, leaving behind their belongings and the life they had built. In the days that followed, the unthinkable became reality – loved ones and neighbors died and their home was destroyed. When Heather and her family arrived in the United States, they carried very little with them, but they carried everything they had been through: grief, uncertainty and the overwhelm of starting over in a place that was entirely unfamiliar.

Three young children looked to her and her husband for stability and hope. They began the hard work of building a new home in a new culture with new systems and rules. During that journey, Heather found the food bank. At first, it was a place to receive necessary groceries during a season where every resource mattered from the fresh food to the diapers for her baby that were available. Then, Heather shared what she hadn’t expected, “It’s not only the gift of groceries—it’s the gifts of dignity and kindness from the staff and volunteers that has been so humbling.”

Today, Heather and her family continue to build their new lives, create new rhythms, and hold onto hope for their future. Behind every family we serve, there is a journey we may never fully see, marked by courage and the quiet determination to begin again.

As Big Day of Giving approaches, would you consider making a one-time gift to help us reach our $75,000 goal? Your support makes it possible for families like Heather’s to receive food and dignity in the midst of rebuilding.

Donate During Big Day Of Giving

Mark had been serving 12 years in the Marine Corps, when he was wounded in action. The life he once knew—once filled with movement, independence, and physical strength—shifted overnight. At 32, he was relegated to a wheelchair in a home never designed for it, navigating a new reality with his wife and children, where simple tasks like folding laundry required intense planning.

Then came the second blow. Mark’s wife passed away unexpectedly, leaving him as the sole caregiver to his young children. The logistical, physical, and emotional weight was immense—rising costs, mounting medical needs, and the sheer fatigue of trying to fill a void that felt insurmountable. Not knowing where else to turn, he reached out to the food bank.

Now, Mark’s daughter drives him to the food bank once a month and he is able to choose food that fits his family’s needs. What might seem like a simple errand has become something more as volunteers engage in meaningful and encouraging conversation with him. In those moments, Mark is not alone and his burdens feel a little lighter.

When Mark felt like he had no options left, he found the strength to keep going for his family. He is not alone in his struggle—many veterans and single parents walk this path—but Mark’s resilience reminds us that our work is about protecting dignity. Behind every delivery is a human story that deserves support.

As Big Day of Giving approaches, would you consider making a one-time gift to help us reach our $75,000 goal? Your support makes it possible to serve families like Mark’s—ensuring that even in the most difficult seasons, they are met with nourishment, compassion, and care.

Donate During Big Day Of Giving