Center of Hope — Local services in Weatherford

@Ginger I know how you feel Ginger. I'm sorry your dignity was rough shod. You deserve better. Think it through; it's not really the individual volunteers' fault. Unless they have a mature understanding of WHO food bank customers are and where they are, they can only assume what they were taught.

They believe that people who go to food banks need upliftment, a hand up out of hardship, possibly homelessness and untreated addictions. Most think addiction has rendered these customers with all these financial problems and they need someone to provide food for them because they can't do it for themselves.

Am I wrong, volunteers? Does that profile really apply to everybody? No.

Maybe they paid their bills with no cash left at the end of the day? Maybe they just went to the food bank to get food because they dont have money for it. Most likely they did. The irony here is that these righteous volunteers might have a neighbor, a family member walk in. In fact it could be them next month. So, in my view that levels the playing field quite a bit. Would they want to be treated like that?

The volunteers are regular people like you and me. The difference is what side of the table they are sitting on. Being on that side of the table is their only reward since they are not paid a salary for their time and expense. Some of the reviews here say they are doing it in the name of their church, it's part of their religious practice to give back in service. THIS IS A NOBLE THING! Good for you.

The grim reality boots on the ground situation is dire for most everyone in most "echelons of economic tier" if they are honest with themselves.

These existing food banks are private run and have their models in old modalities. They have failed to keep up with evolving societal changes locally and are probably stuck in 1995 mentality. It happens. No disrespect to anyone. I have been on both sides, but so what? It's no feather in my cap. It's tragic what is happening everywhere and I do what I can. I have to be careful that I don't fall into the same ego trap though. Easy come, easy go. Sometimes you're on top, sometimes not. SO WHAT? Just be kind; to yourself first then everyone else next. I'm always asking myself; what good is it?

NOTHING IS FREE remember that. Most food bank customers I have met paid into the work system for decades already... all their lives. They more than paid their dues. Why is that not supported or acknowledged? Many volunteers have also.

We don't "deserve" to eat. It's survival. But the societal structures we have provided for ourselves are woefully inappropriate to the times. Thus, as a volunteer I've got nothing to crow about. We all are, on both sides, the future. How could we do this better?

We are called to share happiness with each other, there is no one below you nor above you. If you seek to be of service you must have your cup half full, in the best case, and ideally it should be running over. Can you give hope if you don't have enough already? Or, are you empty and need support in some area?

WE MUST ASK THESE QUESTIONS! Otherwise we will seek to meet our own needs first. WE ALL DO WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT. You are not doing any good to those who come to your door (fyi all human beings need food) without profiling people to confirm your own emotional needs. Stop profiling people. Just stop. NO JUDGEMENT NO COMPARISON Meet your own needs first whatever they are THEN you have confidence to give rightly without doing HARM. No volunteer should expect customers at the food bank to fulfill neglected ego needs, self esteem attitudinal issues you brought with you to work. Work on them on your own time. all the best MM

I'm sorry if I offended anyone, not my intention. I can only say what I have...

Came up there, to ask for assistance even though I mentioned I paid more than half of my bill already. Susan B. A volunteer Who was in window two when asked of her name she covered up her name tag. She was absolutely rude. Can’t be a decent human being, I was advised by the city of Weatherford. If you are going to run an organization like this be a decent human being when it comes to people. You don’t know everyone’s story but when I approached I asked how she was doing she just stared at me with this look couldn’t ask what can I help you with and then responded good. Again I stated I paid more than half my bill she yells “are we still taking new clients and then states come back tomorrow and that’s when I asked for her name she covers her badge up and states she won’t be there tomorrow. For my understanding people do milk the system and there is people who really need it everyone is struggling. I get it but it was my first time in there I don’t ever ask for help EVER and for them to hire people like that is embarrassing on them. Maybe choose your volunteers wisely. It’s not hard to be nice for once. Will never be going back...

I have a neighbor lady that is at least fifty years old who has no phone no car and has exchanged numerous emails with this place and taken a class that she had to get a ride to for hours then they sent her to urgent care so she could get antibiotics and she had to get a ride there and then because she missed one appointment after the infection was gone just one appointment after all that she did to try to meet all their expectations from a poor grandma with no phone or car they denied her services for ninety days then told her she'd have to pay $50 to $75 to get an initial check up. Okay who are y'er all helping really? The people who have everything they need or people who really need help. This woman could die, I wouldn't be surprised at all if she does. The most inhumane thing I've ever ever witnessed. Give her the meds make her jump through hoops when she has done more than anyone could in her condition then just deny her the help she desperately needs. That's not HOPE...