Lourdes Cordova became involved with the Community Pantry in
1989 as a client in need of food. She and her husband had relocated
to Hollister from Los Angeles to escape gang violence and she had
been struggling with unemployment.
Lourdes Cordova became involved with the Community Pantry in 1989 as a client in need of food. She and her husband had relocated to Hollister from Los Angeles to escape gang violence and she had been struggling with unemployment.
She soon after began volunteering at the Community Pantry, making home deliveries to seniors and early bread donation pick-ups. She has been with Community Pantry for 14 years and is now the assistant director for the organization.
On Thursday, Cordova was presented this year’s Hunger Fighter award at the Second Harvest Food Bank’s annual awards ceremony at Paine’s Restaurant, at which Congressman Sam Farr also was a special guest.
“You work around special people,” Cordova said. “When you see the look on someone’s face (that you just helped), it’s priceless.”
Since Cordova herself has seen such difficult times, she understands her clients well, said Mary Ann Hughes, executive director of Community Pantry.
“She gives way above and beyond 40 hours a week,” Hughes said.
Hughes said anyone can nominate a resident for the award – they had to write a one-paragraph explanation of why that person should be chosen.
Ballots are sent out to people involved with the food bank in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, she said. A panel of judges ranging from a member on the city council to county supervisors to nonprofit workers vote on the award, Hughes said.
Cordova said receiving the award was a great honor. She didn’t know how much it meant until she actually got it, she said.
“It’s a wonderful feeling knowing we can make a difference in someone’s life,” Cordova said.
