10/09/2026
When one father came to Sacramento with his family in 2017, he was looking for safety and the chance to build a new life.
After working alongside American forces in Afghanistan and facing increasing danger, leaving home was a difficult but necessary decision. In Sacramento, his family found something important: community and support.
Today, he is helping provide that same sense of community to others as a volunteer at River City Food Bank.
“Helping others makes me feel important and connected,” he shares.
And he doesn’t volunteer alone. His son serves alongside him, turning their time at RCFB into something they can share.
“It strengthens our bond and shows him how vital it is to care for others and serve our community.”
His family also receives groceries from RCFB, helping them stretch their household budget and stay healthy. When they have food to share, they extend that support to their neighbors, including other immigrant families.
For him, there is no divide between receiving help and giving it. Sometimes we need our community, and sometimes our community needs us.
By volunteering with his son, he is also passing something important to the next generation - the values of compassion, service and caring for the people around us.
Because at RCFB, community isn’t simply about who gives and who receives. It’s about showing up for one another, in whatever way we can.
