Moore--Disaster Relief

Day 5-

 

It was another gorgeous day here in Oklahoma! However, all of it was spent inside because we worked at the Moore Food and Resource Center. Because of the food storage throughout, it was actually colder inside the building than outside! This facility is a branch of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and it is set up like an actual grocery store. As a result, the clients get to choose what foods they actually want rather than simply being given what is available. The Food Resource Center makes it a priority to make their clients feel as comfortable and dignified as possible when they come to this space.

 

During our time there, our group sorted through some of the food donations and organized them into proper categories to be placed on the shelves of the store later. We worked to restock shelves, take inventory, and clean some of the storage areas. A few of us even had the opportunity to assist some of the clients in gathering the food they needed. It was an awesome experience getting to interact with them and feel their love and appreciation toward us, just for simply being there.

 

Perhaps the most incredible part of our day (and possibly even this entire week) was getting to sit down and chat with a woman about her experiences during the huge tornado in May of 2013. One of our site leaders, Hayley, met her two months after the tornado when she came down for a weekend to volunteer. Hayley, her dad, and a few of her friends repaired the woman’s home and grew very close with her family, even though they could only spend a few days with them. Over the past few years, they kept in contact and it was a beautiful reunion for the two of them at lunch today now that Hayley has returned to Moore once again. She spoke of what that day was like when the tornado came through and how it impacted her life. She also expressed her deepest gratitude to Hayley and other volunteers like us. It was a very moving experience and lifted our spirits toward our work here and all of the people we have encountered.

 

We ended our day with a family power nap, only to wake up for a pasta dinner complete with salad and garlic bread. Then we “bonded” over some Aggravation and a quality practical joke that may or may not have involved fake poop.

 

We absolutely CANNOT believe tomorrow is our last day here in Moore, Oklahoma! It has been an incredible week and none of us are ready for it to come to an end. Stay tuned, because tomorrow we are sure to go out with a BANG!

 

Peace out,

 

MAB Moore