Glen Cove woman has faith that free food will fly
Retiree to start Thursday distribution on Jan. 21
Staring at a mountain — more accurately, seven pallets — of mac and cheese brought back memories for Benjamin Buggs. And they weren’t good.
“I had a girlfriend a long time ago who would boil the macaroni for two hours,” said a wincing Buggs.
The relationship lasted as long as Buggs’ appetite.
“Two weeks too long. That was crazy,” he said.
The director of Faith Food Fridays hopes that the 24,000 boxes of mac and cheese will find a more edible ending when distributed to Vallejo’s needy during the Friday, Tuesday, and drive-up Sunday food box giveaway.
And, arriving soon, Faith Food Thursdays thanks to vol
unteer Lisa Williamson.
Retired after 40 years with Chevron, Williamson believes there’s a pandemic-induced demand up in Glen Cove where she’s vice president of the Glen Cove Homeowners Association.
“W hen the pandemic started, I asked the board ‘ What are we doing for people who are going to be out of jobs and hungry?’ People said, ‘ Glen Cove has a lot of money’ and I said, ‘ There’s a lot of people who are hurting’ and I reached out to real estate folks.”
Williamson secured the former MRI Building at 151 Marina Way with a nocharge, month- to- month lease.
With keys in hand, she’s targeted Jan. 21 as the unveiling of Faith Food Thursdays.
“I’ve got the fridge, the freezer is being delivered, I’ve got a van and volunteers lined up,” Williamson said between helping out at Faith Food Fridays this past Tuesday.
Buggs was wary of Williamson’s endeavor but after watching her work, gave his blessing and suggested she start at 40 food boxes a week.
“It’s going to be a lot of work,” Buggs said. “Who is going to be doing the work six months down the road? I’ve seen so many programs start out in the last 10 years with the idea of giving out free food. It either never gets off the ground or it gets off the ground and fades away. Again, it boils down to who is going to do the work.”
Buggs thinks Williamson has what it takes to operate a food pantry.
“She’s persistent,” he said. “She’s been sticking with it. She’s reliable and she communicates well.”
Buggs has already put his stamp on the Glen Cove site.
“When she first showed me the floor plan, she had it ( Faith Food Thursdays) upstairs. I told her ‘ No way that’s going to work.’ She finally got a spot on the bottom floor where could could distribute,” Buggs said. “Going through all the details gives me confidence she’s thorough in her preparation.”
Convinced the need was there in the Glen Cove area, Williamson called Buggs a few months ago.
Yes, he warned her, Williamson said.
“He sure did. He told me people start these and they never get off the ground. But I’m relentless,” she said.
Williams started volunteering at Faith Food Friday a few months ago at the 826 Solano Ave. distribution center.
“I wanted to come help Benjamin and learn the ropes,” she said. “It’s been great. I really enjoy it. Watching him around, I’ve learned a lot. I sing his praises.”
Williamson said food will be available 2 to 5:30 p.m. to anyone in need with a focus on the elderly.
“No questions asked. We won’t ask for an I.D. There’s no need to shame people,” Williamson said. “Hungry is hungry.”
June marks the 10th anniversary since Buggs and his wife, Mary Ann, started Faith Food Fridays across from Faith Bible Church. A Tuesday distribution was added three years ago and a drive- through Sundays incorporated to ease the COVID-19 anxiety.
Typically, 300 people line up for the food boxes every Friday, serving roughly 1,200 when the families are considered, said Buggs, envisioning the need for a Faith Food Friday every day, perhaps “one on the other side of town.”
“We need to get food out more than ever,” Buggs said.
If the pending Faith Food Thursdays explodes, there’s always the option to expand, Williamson said.
“We’ll see how it goes. I’m really excited for the start,” she said.
Williamson said she’s well-motivated in volunteering to feed those who are struggling.
“I know this sounds corny, but it makes me feel closer to God and that’s important to me,” she said.
For more information, call (707) 557-7933 or email Buggs, benjamin@ faithfoodfridays.com.