Mary Agrelius Davis has a motto: “Pay it forward.” It’s not just a saying for her, or an occasional thing, though. She’s made it a habit.
Every week, Davis helps people navigate the food pantry at Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo. She’s also an Ally, or mentor, in the Circles program, which helps people learn how to pull themselves out of poverty. Plus, she volunteers with Operation Underground Railroad, which aims to end child slavery worldwide.
“Paying it forward is a great thing to do,” she said. “I think everyone should.”
On Tuesday afternoons, Davis spends four hours in the food pantry working with people in need. First, people go through a qualification process. Once they qualify, Davis walks them through the pantry. She explains which foods they can take and shares ideas for recipes they can use.
“A lot of people need someone to talk to them and be nice,” she said.
Davis loves the diversity of people she gets to meet at the food pantry. She helps widows devastated by the loss of a spouse. She meets drug addicts who are trying to get back on their feet and homeless people who need help. But there’s one client in particular who Davis looks forward to seeing each month.
“There’s this one gentleman who comes in the food pantry,” she said. “He’s older, and such a joy every time he comes in.”
During one visit, a Beach Boys song came on, and they both danced in the food pantry, Davis remembered.
“It’s just those little things that make you feel so good,” she said.
In addition to the hours she spends in the food pantry, she meets at least once per week with her Circles Leader or a participant. They get together with a small group of other Allies and Leaders for dinner and a meeting, then talk or meet as needed during the rest of the week. Circles leaders learn how to use resources and overcome roadblocks to getting themselves out of poverty. They graduate from the program once their income exceeds 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
“I just love how Community Action Services is so focused on helping people in need,” Davis said. “They truly care about people; it’s not just a job for them. Just watch them, and you can see how much they really care.”
If you want to join Davis in volunteering at Community Action Services and Food Bank, check out the volunteer opportunities here.