Post Ao7VCPfmSTb7A9OL7g by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCBEg8RbGO2bUw4 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-05-08T16:20:28Z
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Today at the food bank I sized & organized summer shorts! Winter can bite my ass. (For those new to me, I volunteer at a food bank twice a week.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCCYDFIosSukc1Q by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-05-09T15:22:04Z
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Today at the food bank there were 31 clients waiting for the doors to open at 10am. Unusual. Typically there's 10-15. Grateful for the sun & warmer temps to keep them comfortable while they waited.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCDcVGpqVmVlYLg by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-05-16T14:13:17Z
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Today at the food bank I learned that we received a $12k grant to improve our home goods room! (Affectionately called "my" room, since I'm the one who goes through donations & help clients get what they need.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCEYdmgLmgoxyy0 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-05-22T21:51:31Z
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Today at the food bank I put out a bunch of summer shoes. We were given a donation of 20 pairs of flip flops in various sizes last fall so it felt so good to clean everything out & get it all sized & organized.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCFVUFtQDdKUygq by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-05-30T18:41:34Z
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Today at the food bank an item from last week was discovered in a client's bag. It was fish, judging by the wretched stench.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCFph2laKdzx7BY by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-06-06T22:05:17Z
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Today at the food bank was just a regular day. Donations in, donations out. People asking for frying pans that aren't peeling & king sized sheets. I have neither. (Sorry.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCGLF9Sp2DqiJMW by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-06-13T16:23:07Z
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Today at the food bank has been hectic. 44 clients served in 2 hours.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCGwotksc6OIJvs by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-06-20T21:10:59Z
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Today at the food bank a client complained that we didn't have coffee for the 4th straight week. I empathize. Wouldn't you be grumpy, too?
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCH6kIqosbAwFP6 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-06-27T00:00:19Z
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Today at the food bank we had to crank up the AC because it was stupidly warm in the house & we were afraid that some of the perishables would spoil.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCHmDodzqfoLN3I by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-07-17T15:50:42Z
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Today at the food bank I spent 2 hours going through bag after bag of donations. Most were winter clothes, unfortunately. We're in desperate need for shorts and summer shoes. (But hey, clients will be warmly dressed this winter.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCIH3xyfODSm07k by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-07-25T14:39:29Z
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Today at the food bank it's hot and clients are cranky. Doing my best to put an empathetic smile on my face and putting out positive energy and thoughts to them.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCIz1KXpQPnL6dk by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-08-01T17:00:38Z
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Today at the food bank a volunteer was stocking shelves with BBQ sauce when one of the glass bottles shattered, spraying sauce and glass everywhere. What a mess. I checked the glass of the 3 others in the package & they all had tiny cracks in the bottom, just waiting to burst. (This is why I never wear nice clothes to the food bank. It's dirty work sometimes. And yes, the volunteer will need new shoes.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCJe8reioTKZwjg by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-08-16T00:34:29Z
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Today at the food bank someone donated a shoebox full of scarves- square silk ones, long cotton flowy ones, shorter hand stitched ones, lovely colors, soft textures. Hanging them was the highlight of my time there today. (Other than when the Older Kidlet popped in to say, "Hey Mom. Need anything?" He's a good kid. 5 days & he's off to college. Wow.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCJrG4tDJ80iQBE by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-08-22T01:50:11Z
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Today at the food bank someone donated a super soft mermaid's tail blanket which is odd because a client last week asked if we had one for her soon to be 9 yr old daughter. Score! I love when this happens! I brought it home & washed it & it's even softer.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCKY9VPWbH2mg2S by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-09-19T15:24:22Z
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Today at the food bank I snuck an extra bag of dog food into a client's bag for their sweet doggy.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCL6tQFJX0n2QBk by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-09-25T16:15:57Z
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Today at the food bank I started putting out cold weather clothes. Boo, winter. I also stayed to help unload the CT Foodshare delivery truck.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCLkx1JMB11mPcu by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-10-09T17:38:38Z
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Today at the food bank we were short staffed. Despite this, we received multiple boxes of food donated by a family who were cleaning out a deceased relative's pantry. Our shelves are full of items that we don't typically carry. Clients are going to be very happy tomorrow.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCLvEP5a1WuaceO by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-10-16T15:44:59Z
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Today at the food bank I went through donations which included this gem. Photo is a hand painted on a slab of slate colonial scene- a white house with black roof, a flag pole to the left of the house, with the words "My Country Tis of Thee" on top and "Swett Land of Librty" (obviously misspelled) on the bottom.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCMbPsFK9dkKJP6 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-10-17T19:55:18Z
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Today at the food bank a client's car died. When I was leaving I noticed her sitting there so I walked over to see what was up. She started to get upset explaining that she knew it was acting up but they don't have money for a new battery. She was embarrassed to come back in & ask for help but her husband wasn't answering. I told her to go back in & ask for a visa gift card so she had some help with paying for it.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCN7JxcqREhFn8K by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-11-13T18:14:00Z
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Today at the food bank was my 3rd day in a row going through donations. I took 2 weeks off and there was about 30 bags of clothes and coats waiting. It was dirty work. So many bad smells & so much pet hair. Immediately came home & showered. 😖
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCNfLv64CwFAyB6 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-11-14T17:45:31Z
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Today at the food bank we started planning for Christmas. Clients fill out a wish list- they're allowed one item for themselves & any other adults in the house and 2 items for children under 18. One client asked for yarn for charity knitting & I was like- "Do not buy any! I'll bring in all she'll need." Getting a bag together and putting it in my car while it's fresh in my mind. (Now if I can just remember to take it out next week while I'm there.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCNoZMpRJOpUKXo by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-11-20T16:20:46Z
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Today at the food bank I was late (😖 Older Kidlet's car battery was dead & he needed my attention) but I still managed to go through 2 bags of donated coats (YAY) in great condition. Please wash stuff before donating, especially coats. We're running low on them so clients are only allowed to take one. Not per family member - just one. Sigh.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCOONDi4zBsEvLs by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-12-05T16:49:26Z
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Today at the food bank were all having to fake it until we make it. (Crumpy face.)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCOuHJ5bGmpAP56 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-12-12T16:21:51Z
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Today at the food bank clients are allowed to take 2 ornaments from a selection of about 40 that were donated yesterday. They're all in like-new condition and clients are loving them. It's definitely changing the vibe around here. ♥️
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCPWZ0kE0hZ4yky by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2023-12-19T18:05:45Z
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Today at the food bank we gave out toys & other wish list gifts for clients, along with $50 gift cards to each family for our local market. (One anonymous family in town donated all the gift cards- 100 in total. Incredibly generous!!)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCPfmSTb7A9OL7g by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-01-02T17:36:35Z
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Today at the food bank was quiet, which we were #grateful for because we didn't get food deliveries for 2 weeks due to Christmas and New Year's Day being on our typical delivery day (Mondays).
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCQN1rgBzKHcsXA by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-01-30T17:32:48Z
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Today at the food bank someone donated 5 or 6 obviously well used snorkels, a plastic grocery bag filled with other grocery bags that were all sticky & unusable & 17 bottles of cheap bubble bath.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCQq67bRcmRE5qK by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-02-02T17:29:33Z
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Today at the food bank I worked for 2 hours upstairs in the donations room, going through bag after bag of clothing. Photo is me, a white woman with glasses & a Yankees ball cap on standing in front of a rack of men's shirts & a rack of other clothing. I still have SO much to do. This is my project for the 5 weeks I'm off- to organize a house that is inorganizable. (Is inorganizable a word? It is now!)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCRcJEM0dBxmazQ by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-02-06T20:34:34Z
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Today at the food bank I took home the most glorious unicorn sweater that's been kicking around for months. I put it in the sweater rack & people commented on it, then for the last 2 weeks it's been on display right in front and no one took it so I asked everyone who walked in today to please take it. No one wanted it so I nabbed it. It's in the wash. I'm going to wear this thing proudly. It has sequins and a bell. You are going to be so jealous. Unicorn. Sequins! A BELL. How do you refuse??
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCRjOnzgFXx6G2a by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-03-18T18:16:39Z
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Today at to food bank I went through donations that included:An old remote control (dirty & sticky)An unopened calendar from 20032 sticks of deodorant, expired 1997A broken jewelry boxOpened bottle of Avon hand lotion, expired in 2016Used nail filesCoffee mug with dried coffee in the bottom (yes, moldy)Moth-holed sweater (I rescued this for mending practice!)We don't need any of these things. Please don't donate obvious junk.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCSFItNCX8u1jlo by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-03-26T17:58:00Z
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Today at the food bank I was grateful for my co-volunteers. They bust ass every week, making sure clients get what they need.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCSkr04REikmvwm by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-04-23T23:52:19Z
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Today at the food bank we finalized plans for completely redoing the home goods room I'm in charge of. I'm so excited! The room is desperate for a makeover! We are going to repaint & add lighting. We got new shelving units & racks for clothes/shoes from IKEA. The dilapidated bookcases that we rely on for so much are going to be replaced with new ones that will match the clothing/shoes unit. It's going to take a lot of work but it will be worth it!!
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCTDvFzgsAuO9Fw by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-04-30T17:47:13Z
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Today at the food bank I started warning clients that the home goods/clothing room will be closed for about a month while we completely redo everything. I also told them to take anything that they've had their eye on because we're moving a lot out (to Goodwill or other organizations.) Some didn't care, but others grabbed 4 or 5 bags of stuff.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCTdRj66hS4KX2W by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-05-17T21:14:55Z
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Today at the food bank I dragged my ass in to wash the walls and spackle holes in the home goods/clothing room, in preparation for paint this weekend. I also got a gallon of paint in a light bluish-gray color and white ceiling paint at the local hardware store and dropped that off. Husband promised to help me with sanding and painting tomorrow afternoon. Exciting.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCU5o1enAs1bBFA by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-05-21T16:46:20Z
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Today at the food bank I started scrubbing the 10,000 little paint splatters off the hardwood floors in the room we painted over the weekend. I'm #grateful that the paint went everywhere. I NEVER would have paid close attention to the floors otherwise. I would have just swept them. Now that I've gotten in there & put some elbow grease into it, it looks SO good. And there's something about the smell of Murphy's Oil Soap that makes the room feel cleaner. (Photo is the clean hardwood floor!)
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCUoTLaWN6YUqrg by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-06-24T15:21:01Z
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Today at the food bank I took photos of the new & improved home goods/clothing room. Tomorrow we start stocking it. This has been an excessively slow process, mostly because it's only 2 of us working on it. Photos are the shelving units in the room. There's some items in one section but the rest are empty.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCVELnNDmOobWCW by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-07-23T20:19:36Z
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Today at the food bank we finally opened the remodeled Home Goods room & it was very busy. Got a ton of compliments from clients.It's interesting to listen to how clients react to free items. Some clients are really possessive or judgemental about how much others take. Or what they take. I have to calm them down. I say, "It's free. Donated. It's not mine or yours. There's plenty of stuff. Why do you care? What needs of yours can be found in this room? It's yours. Take what you need."
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCVhQ3ITPqyCjVg by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-08-20T19:07:51Z
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Today at the food bank a former client came in to update us on her life. It's been 5 months since she was last there & it was such a shock to see her I literally was jumping up and down clapping when she walked into the room. She's working full time & makes enough that she's setting up a monthly donation to the food bank, to give back. Just lovely.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCWJLmGoZkbx1dI by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-10-29T23:03:11Z
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Today at the food bank I thought about leaving. Then I thought about it all day and I think I came to the conclusion that I need a break. Sigh.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCWyTJNhxo9BrjE by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-11-15T22:31:14Z
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Today at the food bank I went through a small trailer full of beautiful winter coats & other cold weather gear, donated during a town wide coat drive last weekend. Thank you, generous people. If you're donating, please remember to empty the pockets (used tissues, blech!) and wash before donating, especially if you own pets.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCXAWaZLiPWpUW0 by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-11-16T18:46:05Z
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Today at the food bank I dragged Older Kidlet with me and we sorted the coats by men's/women's/children's and hung them up. Photo is the women's side with a smaller rack to the right with kid's coats. I think we're going back to the trailer next week to get more, once all of these are gone.
(DIR) Post #Ao7VCXwNidd8nxDi6q by Heidiknits@mastodon.social
2024-11-16T18:51:24Z
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Growing up I had cheaply made coats that were hand-me-downs from my older sister. They were always ill fitting and often not waterproof so I was never comfortable in the winter.