BUGGS NAMED FOURTH OF JULY GRAND MARSHALS
Owners of Faith Food Fridays food pantry will serve as Grand Marshal for Vallejo's Fourth of July parade
Ben and Mary Ann Buggs have dedicated their lives to feeding Vallejo. Now the couple will lead the city in another way.
Last week the Buggs and Faith Food Fridays were named the 2023 Grand Marshal for Vallejo's Fourth of July parade.
Mary Ann was taken back with happiness and gratitude after receiving the honor. Ben, meanwhile, says he's “excited, elated, humble, and honored.”
Faith Food Fridays has been feeding the community free groceries and food three times a week for 11 years.
Faith Food Fridays customers come from all different walks of life, as evidenced by the variety of individuals — many struggling in life — that the business donates to.
Ben Buggs says that not all of the people they give food donations to are homeless. Many, he says, just need supplemental food to balance bills.
“Hunger is something that America has been dealing with for some time,” said Ben. “We want to increase awareness that hunger is real. It cannot be swept under the rug. Hunger happens to people from all walks of life. They got to that point regardless of how they started.”
The Buggs say they feel called upon to fight the country's hungry problem.
“We will always have the hungry with us,” Ben said. “Our job is to make an imprint and be the hand that feeds them trying to help to try to help these people in his name. That's how you look at it whether you're religious or not. You still have a job to do and try to help.”
Both Ben and Mary Ann are originally from the Midwest and now consider Vallejo to be their hometown. Ben even calls Vallejo “the best-kept secret of the world.”
Mary Ann explained what the Grand Marshal title means for Faith Food Fridays.
“I hope it says that we're fully here for Vallejo,” Mary Ann said. “This has become our hometown. We hope to be here forever. There are a lot of people
and a lot of good nonprofits in this city doing really good work. It's our honor to be able to help Vallejo however we can — hopefully doing more and more as the years go by until we get rid of hunger.”
Mary Ann and Ben are big fans of the Fourth of July parade.
“We want everybody to come,” said Maryann. “If you've never been, come. It's lots of fun. You'll see a lot of talented children groups, dancers, and martial arts groups. It's just a good time to celebrate with your city and neighbors.”