The best way to experience Neighbors Together is through the eyes of our dedicated staff. Sandro Ortega has been one of our two full-time Kitchen Managers since 2009.
Here, he shares his experience with our supporters:
Q: Can you describe what you do on a normal day at Neighbors Together?
“The first thing that I do is greet the members and staff of Neighbors Together. Then, I do everything from cleaning, organizing supplies, ordering food (while staying in budget), reviewing the menu with the staff, and most importantly, creating a positive environment where the members and staff are treated with respect and kindness. Sometimes on my days off I volunteer at Neighbors Together to do some extra work that I can’t do during my work day.”
Q: Can you share a significant experience you had at Neighbors Together?
“I do have a significant moment while working at Neighbors Together. It’s a moment that I think about from time to time and it really hit me personally. It was my second Thanksgiving and I stood late cleaning. It was a cold and rainy night and I was in the kitchen. I heard a knock on the door but couldn’t see who it was because of the foggy windows. I went to answer the door. It was a homeless man. He had on a coat that was soaked. I could tell that the rainwater had gone through his clothing. He had a dog with him and the dog had a plastic bag over him. The dog was dry and he was wet.
What got me was that it was Thanksgiving and I was going home to my family and this man was going to stay in the streets with his dog on Thanksgiving, or any other day for that matter, in the rain and cold with nowhere to go. My heart broke and my heart doesn’t break that easily. I gave him a container of food, juice, an apple pie, an extra piece of turkey and fixings, along with some cups and napkins, forks and spoons. It was Thanksgiving. That significant moment made me realize how important my job truly is and I thank God and my experiences in my life that had me on this side of the door. I still think about that man from time to time, wondering if he is OK and his little dry pup.”
Q: What is your interaction with the members like?
“Well my day starts by greeting the members and seeing how they are doing, and what’s new in their lives. For members that I know a little more personally we sit and talk. Or you can call it more like sit and listen. Sometimes a member just wants to vent and afterwards they feel better. Other times, it’s a team effort with our two Advocates here to assist members in finding the long-term resources they deserve, such as housing and job training. Each and every member gets my respect and positive energy that hopefully they can take with them and use when they leave.”
Q: What do you hope for in the future for Neighbors Together?
“There is a goal my coworkers and I share: To fulfill our mission of ending hunger in our community and to put ourselves out of business.”
