By Carol Wilson, AmeriCorps Team Member at St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Marinette, WI

Certain people enter our lives to whom we instantly feel a special connection. In the arena of service and those who serve, empathy is as much a part of our being as breathing. Perhaps it is the ability to see ourselves reflected back in another’s eyes, seeing our need within their need, our story woven within their story that creates the bond. Landon, which is not his real name, is that person for me.

The first time I met Landon, he walked into the pantry and spoke softly, not making direct eye contact as I checked him in. His glasses were taped together, and I sensed his self-consciousness and vulnerability. I didn’t know Landon. Yet I knew Landon. It isn’t easy to navigate a world when you are a quiet one. “Thank you,” slipped easily from his lips as he chose the food staples off the shelf. His hesitation surfaced as the standard pizza and other frozen choices were offered to him. He didn’t have a means to bake it was his explanation. “Sorry,” he whispered.

“No worries,” I said. Then I grabbed some frozen sandwiches and a packaged meal and asked if he could heat them in a microwave. He replied with a big smile, gratefully reaching for them.

A week passed. Landon came in again. This time, he asked if I knew anyone who was hiring. I saw in him a desire to change his circumstances, and I understood that longing. It’s easy to get stuck in a place or situation where change seems impossible. Yet, all it takes is a step forward in any direction. You do not necessarily need to know the destination; just knowing better is achievable with determination and consistency.

“Well,” I started out, “do you know where NWTC, the technical college is?” I asked him.

“Yes.” He smiled slightly.

“There’s a job center attached to the building, and I recommend you go there. They can help you build a resume. They connect employers to job seekers. You can even take tests to find what you are good at and might enjoy doing.”

His eyes lit up as he said, “Thank you! I’ll check it out.”

Over the next month I looked forward to Landon visiting, smiling encouragement towards him while helping him with his pantry supply.  Always, he spoke softly as gratitude shone from his eyes and taped glasses. Then came exciting news. Deana, one of my AmeriCorps pantry team members, told me Landon had been in when I wasn’t there. He had walked in wearing new glasses and said he wouldn’t need to come to the pantry soon. My heart warmed. He perhaps had gotten a job. For sure, his situation was improving.

A couple more weeks passed with Landon proudly stating it would be the last time he needed to use the pantry. I smiled proudly, telling him we would be here if he did. It turned out that Landon did show up one or two more times to receive food, though reassuring us that soon he wouldn’t. The last time I saw him, it was snowing, and I worried about how he would ride his moped in the weather. “I have a truck now,” he said proudly. “Awesome,” I responded. I didn’t ask if he’d gotten a job as he didn’t volunteer that information. That is the thing about quiet ones, we wait for people to tell their stories and are fine if they don’t. Sometimes words aren’t necessary when results tell us what shy personalities can’t express.

Christmas week arrived. While caring for my elderly dad at home, I received a text from Deana.

“So, here’s some amazing news! Landon just came in, and I was going to check him in because I thought he needed food, but he said, ‘Oh no, I just want to make a donation,’ and handed me $1,000 cash for the pantry.”

“Oh, my goodness, that is SO beautiful and amazing!” I texted back.

The rest of the day I was floating. All kinds of joy streamed through me as I thought about Landon and his generosity. My eyes welled with tears as I imagined the impact of service in helping others, not knowing how much our words, actions, smiles, and encouragement can become an ever-widening ripple of giving. “Merry Christmas, Landon,” I whispered to myself, touched by the steps of someone who didn’t need to circle back and give so generously but quietly did.