John Rose is one of the few people who doesn’t think that his
years of work helping hungry families in San Benito County is
extraordinary.
Hollister – John Rose is one of the few people who doesn’t think that his years of work helping hungry families in San Benito County is extraordinary.
“I think that’s part of what I got put on earth for,” said Rose, a retired San Benito High School history teacher who has lived in Hollister for more than three decades.
Today he will become the first San Benito County resident to receive the Hunger Fighter of the Year award from Second Harvest Food Bank of San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.
Rose will be given the honor – a stone apple painted red and mounted on a wooden base – during a 5pm reception at Leal Vineyards in Hollister.
“I feel a little bit over-appreciated. I’m honored, but I’m not in it for the awards,” Rose said.
Rose has worked with the Community Pantry of San Benito County since it was created in 1989.
“John was one of the founders. He’s been a driver, picked-up bread. You name it he’s done it,” said Tom Larkin, executive director of the pantry.
Most recently Rose has been in charge of collecting the pantry’s empty produce boxes and cardboard from local businesses for recycling, which brings in about $500 a month for the pantry, said Larkin, who nominated Rose for the award.
“We could not operate without volunteers like John. He’s great,” he said.
But Rose is modest about receiving the award.
“It’s a team operation,” he said, “I’m standing in for other people.”
For the last five years Second Harvest of San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties have given the Hunger Fighter of the Year award to community members who make efforts to alleviate hunger. This will be the first year that a San Benito County resident receives the award, according to Jeffrey Kongslie, director of development and marketing for Second Harvest.
County residents nominate candidates for the award, and recipients are chosen by the Hunger Fighter Selection Committee for their county. This year the opportunity to nominate community members was better publicized in San Benito County than it had been in the past, which is probably why the county has a recipient this year, Kongslie said.
Second Harvest has been working with local food banks to provide food to needy families in San Benito and Santa Cruz counties for more than 30 years.
Luke Roney is a covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
