Our First Trader Joe’s Pickup
On Sunday June 15, Buddhist Relief volunteers met Michael and Billy at Trader Joe's at 10 AM for our first Neighborhood Shares pickup. We were greeted with a large pallet of over 24 boxes (we were told to expect between 12 - 20) plus a large bag of bread. The store manager apologetically told us it was a little more than promised, and of course we were more than grateful.
As we loaded the boxes into the van, a second pallet appeared. We began to understand what she meant. And then a third! And then a shopping cart, and several armfuls more of boxes. Enough to fill the refrigerated van about 18" from the ceiling.
We drove back to the KPC and began to weigh everything and sort items. We had a sense of what each partner could use, and then Buddhist Relief drove to the Little Free Pantry to sort and distribute what went to them and to WUMCO.
In total, we rescued 1389 pounds of food and several dozen bouquets of flowers. Lots and lots of ripe avocados, mandarin oranges, breads of all kinds, baked goods/desserts/cookies; bananas, apples, oranges, chopped squash, packaged green beans, some individual salads, several dozen cartons of eggs with one or two broken, some packaged meats, and various assorted items.
We are so grateful to our founder Jetsunma. None of this would be possible without you. Thank you for this and for the opportunity to benefit others through Buddhist Relief. SO many people are cared for through your generosity and vision.
