Douglas Reese Jackson (Reese for short) walks through the doors of IFCS quite frequently. Once each month, he shops in the Market as a program participant, selecting groceries to help sustain him through the month. On his other visits, he’s returning as a volunteer, helping others navigate the Market and choose the groceries that will sustain them, too.
Reese traveled to Colorado 10 years ago with the hopes of expanding his horizons and “maturing alongside the multicultural development of the Rocky Mountain ethos of compassion and community.” He found IFCS about a year ago and has been engaged in IFCS’ mission of community building since. Reese was between jobs when he decided to volunteer at IFCS. An introspective man who engages deeply in his personal growth and development, he determined that putting “a little bit of the energy” that he puts into his career would allow him to help others while building connections in his community. Now, he has a busy schedule and recognizes the importance of not overextending himself in service; at the same time, volunteering gives him a deep sense of satisfaction. This “really fills the part of me that likes to live in that higher consciousness, trying to really be outside of myself,” he says.
Transformed into Gratitude
Like many people, Reese has dealt with his share of trauma. “A couple of years ago, I lost a lot of people really close to me over a very short amount of time, and dealt with a lot of personal issues,” he shares. “This made me very insecure about where I was going to take my future, career-wise.” It was an experience he hadn’t expected and, looking back, he feels fortunate that he had an opportunity to focus on his mental health and develop who he wanted to be. “I have changed a lot over the past couple of years,” he shares, and he’s grateful for everything. “I appreciate every bit of help that I’ve ever had in my life,” he says, “and I wasn’t always mature enough or successful enough, in my own right, to show it… Now I know the steps, the small steps even, I can take to be that man that the world deserves, and that I deserve.”
Inviting and Connecting
What motivates Reese most in his volunteer role is creating human connection. He’s a great friend to his neighbors and provides a warm welcome to those who visit IFCS for assistance. “I happen to be very fortunate to be ‘in the same boat,’ where I’m around a lot of people that need the same kind of help that I do,” he says. “I’ve gotten to know so many people.” He’s become a great advocate in the community, telling others about the resources available at IFCS; then, during his volunteer shifts, he’s there to welcome them when they arrive.
Reese enjoys connecting with neighbors from every background, including practicing his growing Spanish vocabulary with members of the local Spanish-speaking community. His experience as a program participant also makes Reese attentive to a sense of shame or embarrassment that can be associated with needing assistance. “I’m guilty of this too: you apologize for who you are almost when you walk in somewhere because you feel guilty or the stigma makes you feel a certain way.” Understanding this vulnerability, and the courage it takes to ask for help, he is quick to put others at ease. “I’m so fortunate to be able to meet people on their level, because I’m right there with them, and I want them to know that I’m proud of that, and I’m very fortunate, because there’s nothing wrong with it at all.”
The Power of Choice
For Reese, one of the things that sets IFCS apart is the shopping experience itself. Rather than receiving a pre-packed box, Market shoppers can choose foods they know how to cook, and that fit their preferences. He especially appreciates having access to fresh produce, pantry staples, and quality proteins that help stretch his budget. “I’m a meat guy,“ he says, “so anytime I can get some good protein, I get excited.”
One recent Market visit gave him everything he needed to make one of his favorite meals: chicken spaghetti. “It was really awesome,” he laughs. “They had everything I needed.”
Together We Make a Difference
For Reese, IFCS represents something bigger than food. “It shows how we’re all the same. We all go through difficult seasons. Sometimes we just need someone to help connect the dots.” We’re meant to help each other, and that’s what IFCS is all about.
When asked what he would tell someone considering donating, Reese doesn’t hesitate: “Start small… IFCS is a small enough location, has been here for a long time, is well established, and has an amazing reputation… and they’ve earned that reputation.”
He knows firsthand how contributions of all sizes make a real difference. “People probably don’t realize how far a bag of groceries can go for the people that shop at IFCS,” he says. “If someone worries that their donation just disappears into a system, that’s not what happens here. You can see the impact.“
Uplifted and Uplifting
Reese often says IFCS is more than a place to receive food or volunteer; for him, it’s become a place where he can simply be himself. “I love IFCS,” he says. “The people here are unreal. Everybody’s here for the same mission.” As a person who hungers for personal growth perhaps more than anything, Reese feels fortunate to connect with like-minded individuals at IFCS, where he learns so much from the other inspiring volunteers.
Reese’s story gives testimony to the IFCS mission: community is built when neighbors stand beside one another to offer compassion, understanding, and hope. He also reminds us that those who receive IFCS’ support often become our community’s greatest advocates.
Learn more about the MARKET @ IFCS.
Learn more about volunteering with the IFCS VOLUNTEER CORE.
DONATE to support IFCS or learn about MORE WAYS TO GIVE.
