If you arrive at Twin Lakes Food Bank on a Tuesday morning, there’s a good chance the very first person to welcome you will be Julie Smith.
For 15 years, Julie has faithfully served at our registration desk—checking in guests, answering questions, and helping them take the first step toward receiving groceries. But anyone who has watched Julie at work knows she’s doing much more than verifying eligibility or handing someone a slip. She’s creating connection.
Coming to a food bank can feel intimidating. For many guests, it’s the first time they’ve ever had to ask for help. There can be hesitation, uncertainty, even fear. But Julie has a way of gently breaking through those walls. She leans in, she asks thoughtful questions, she listens and before long, guests begin to open up.
Watching Julie interact with our guests warms our hearts. She is deeply intentional with every person who approaches her desk, making sure they feel welcome, valued, and respected. She treats every guest with dignity—never rushing them, never making them feel like a number.
Sometimes those moments become deeply personal.
Julie recalls times when guests have quietly broken down in tears as she checks them in—overwhelmed with relief after finally finding help, or sharing a difficult piece of their story. In those moments, Julie does what she does best: she meets them with compassion. “A hug goes a long way,” she says. “I am always so profoundly touched and grateful to be able to help.”
Julie first discovered TLFB simply by driving past the building one day. What she couldn’t have known then was how deeply this place—and the people in it—would shape her heart.
Julie’s professional life also reflects that same dedication and adaptability. Early in her career, she worked in telecommunications before stepping away from the workforce to raise her three children. Later, she returned to work in several roles, including advertising and office administration. She has been happily retired since 2019.
These days, when she’s not serving guests at the food bank, Julie enjoys walking and hiking, reading, traveling, tending to her garden, and spending time with her husband and their three adult children. She also continues her heart for service by delivering senior lunches with her husband every Monday in Placerville.
Through all of her experiences, Julie has gained a deeper understanding of the people around her.
“Everyone matters to God,” she says. “Each and every one of us has something to offer.”
That belief shapes the way she greets every guest. She knows our guests come from all walks of life—people navigating challenges most of us may never fully see. And because of that, she makes it her mission to ensure they feel comfortable enough to return.
When asked what she wishes more people knew about Twin Lakes Food Bank, Julie doesn’t hesitate. “It’s a warm and inviting place that is free of judgment,” she says. “It’s a happy place to be—whether you are visiting us for services or looking for a place to volunteer.”
After 15 years of service, Julie has become more than a volunteer. She’s become a welcoming presence, a trusted listener, and a steady source of compassion for the thousands of guests who walk through our doors each year.
And for many of them, she’s the very first reminder that they are not alone.
