By Adam Teitelbaum, volunteer
This month longtime Food Runners volunteer Adam Teitelbaum interviewed our truck drivers who pick up and drop off the food that feeds thousands of people in need every week in San Francisco.
Adam: How long have you been with Food Runners?
Keith Goldstein: I have volunteered with Food Runners for 32 years. For the past 26 years I have picked up food from the farmers at the Ferry Plaza Market. Rain or shine. I haven’t missed a Saturday market pick up since the start of the pandemic.
Seth Acharya: I have volunteered for Food Runners for 22 years. I started when the market was at Green and Broadway Street.
Jose Juarez: I have worked for Food Runners for the past seven years.
Adam: What do your days in the truck look like?
Keith: I yell out “Food Runners! Bring out your food!” at the end of every market and collect the boxes of excess food. I deliver to Martin De Pores, Salvation Army, the Mission Free Food stand and many other places where the food is distributed to those in need. I know all of the farmers at the Ferry Plaza Market as well as the staff at the shelters and always have a great experience.
Jose: I drive the truck Monday- Friday, collecting food from; Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Oracle Park and Chase Center. I deliver to The Waller Kitchen facility, The YMCA, Mission Cultural Center, and several other recipients all throughout the city.
Adam: What does volunteering/working with Food Runners mean to you?
Keith: My Food Runners work is the best part of my week.
Seth: I see those in need, queuing up for 2-3 blocks to receive this food. My pleasure is seeing the joy on their faces when they are given the food. This is the moment we need new volunteers to give whatever time they can spare to help Food Runners.
Jose: The people on site are always very friendly, polite, and thankful. I love this job. It is a blessing to me.
To continue to help feed the hungry and prevent waste tell your friends to make a financial donation through https://www.foodrunners.org/donate-money/. Thank you!
