A Toni’s Kitchen Guest Story: “Andy”

(NOTE: This is part of a series of stories focusing on how we work to improve the lives of our guests at Toni's Kitchen. To see previous "Toni's Kitchen Guest Stories," please click here.)

A regular guest of Toni's Kitchen's Choice Pantry (CP) for almost two years, "Andy" (not his real name) is an outgoing, positive and warm individual who always comes to CP with a wide smile on his face and easily engages in conversation with everyone he comes into contact with.

A self-proclaimed entrepreneur and poet, he openly shares his past innovations and future ideas as well as his poetry with both Toni's staff and guests. HIs enthusiasm is contagious to those around him at CP, fostering a warm sense of connection and community.

Andy comes weekly for groceries and particpates in the majority of onsite partnerships CP has. He has received an eye exam and eyeglasses through Optical Academy, a dental cleaning and exam through Zufall Dental, health education, blood pressure screenings and vaccinations through Zufall Medical, and is interested in joining the next Food, Health, Hope (hypertension and diabetes management) program cycle.

Andy, always eager to learn about available services, stops by every onsite partnership table and chats with the leads. Given his ease with technology, he has also helped some guests in line register for certain services by scanning QR codes or finding an organization's website online.

Andy's story is just another example of how Toni's Kitchen provides out guests with services and support to help improve their lives.