Alfonso's Story

Alfonso came to Seattle in 1999 to escape the cycle of abuse he and his family faced in Mexico. He found employment at a plywood store where his cousin worked, and later at the Yankee Grill, a Ballard restaurant.

In 2000, Alfonso realized his cousin and sister-in-law were struggling. They learned about Ballard Food Bank, and visits to the food bank became part of the family’s routine. The food bank even helped with rental assistance. Alfonso didn’t use the food bank at the time, but a seed had been planted. He tells us that his earliest memory of the food bank was seeing folks walk in with hands in their pockets, only to walk out with big bags and sometimes cartons of food.

Some years later, Alfonso met an unhoused man named Samuel who needed help. Alfonso remembered the food bank and took Samuel there. Volunteers helped them with food and provided Samuel a dental referral and helped him obtain a bus pass, which led to his finding his own home.

Alfonso sits at the Kindness Café, where he volunteers regularly.

As Samuel’s life took a turn for the better, though, Alfonso’s spiraled downward. He had become a drug addict and, by 2019, was near death. A police officer found him and took him to rehab. After completing a 20-step sobriety program, Alfonso returned to the food bank. There, he met staff member Nathaniel, who listened to Alfonso’s story and offered assistance and encouragement. Alfonso eventually got a stable job and started saving to buy a car and find a place of his own.

Alfonso now works at The Cheesecake Factory and comes in to volunteer at the food bank after working a 10-hour shift.

“The only place I found peace and help was the food bank,” he says. “It was the only place where I did not feel anger. ... The food bank was always there for me and I had to respond with gratitude. It kept me going. It ignited a necessity in my soul to serve others.”