A worker's mantra: 'How can I help you, my friend?

Over fifteen years ago, when an outdoor event catered by Paul Wilcox was cancelled, he drove to The Community Kitchen. Not only did he donate two large sheet cakes, but he stayed to volunteer, spending two weeks bagging hundreds of pounds of potatoes.

"I liked the idea. I had plenty of time on my hands," said Wilcox, who then had just retired at age 54 from a local ball bearing manufacturer.

"That was the beginning - one day a week. The next thing you know, it's eight days a week," he joked.

His volunteer service ended more than a decade ago when he joined the staff as food pantry co-manager. Since then, he has helped feed more than 700 local families per week.

Wilcox wears many hats on the job. He greets and registers guests, answers telephones, maintains computer records and determines weekly food distribution based on families' needs.

"Paul's always smiling," Executive Director Ann Davis said. "He always greets everyone. He makes people feel right at home. A lot of people come here who don't want to be here, but he makes them feel comfortable."

Wilcox, a Keene resident, also oversees food product quality, stocks food shelves and conducts monthly inventories. Beyond that, he supervises volunteers, helps out with building maintenance, and assists with food pick-ups at area businesses and weekly deliveries to more than 100 local families and individuals.

"Paul's so flexible," Davis said. "But the best thing about Paul is that he's so giving. He's good-hearted. He genuinely cares about others. He shares anything we have here, especially with children and single moms with kids. He's a great family man. It makes him so caring with other people."

That compassion sparks his commitment to the community. The Kitchen, like food pantries throughout the country, is experiencing a dramatic rise in number of local clients. In response, Wilcox, who is paid for a 20-hour work week, generally spends 40 hours per week on the job. Previously, he spent his free time as an avid hunter and as a softball league umpire. Now he regularly opts for pantry preparation in lieu of a day off from work.

"I'm the type of guy that if it has to be done, I'll do it," he said. "I see the increasing need. Every week, we'll get eight to 12 new families minimum. There's so many $7.50- to $9-an-hour jobs here."

For him, the job brings a combination of fulfillment and distress.

"The Kitchen has become my home. It's really my second home," he said. "I get a lot of pleasure but there're a lot of heartaches, too. You really see lots of sad things, especially when there's children involved. But everyone would get satisfaction from helping other people."

With Thanksgiving behind it, The Community Kitchen is preparing for the holiday season. Demand is high. Turkeys, hams and other meats are urgently needed, as are toiletries and baby-care products, such as diapers and wipes. Donations from community members and local businesses are welcome. And, on December 8, the group will hold its annual holiday auction.

In the meantime, besides holiday preparations, Wilcox continues to help local families meet their daily basic needs.

"Paul has two favorite sayings," said Davis. "'My name is Paul; I can do it all', and 'how can I help you, my friend?' "

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The Community Kitchen raffled our very own 6’ pre-lit green artificial Dr. Seuss Holiday Tree on November 10th. This tree was decorated with Dr. Seuss books, stuffed characters, pillow, key chain, ornament, finger puppets, hand puppet, toothbrushes & paste, clock, telephone — and of course, it was topped with a “Cat in the Hat” hat! – This tree had a value of over $300. The winner was drawn at 2:00 pm at TCK’s Empty Bowls event, Saturday, November 10, 2007. The winner was Leslie Parrott, Keene, NH

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Read the profile of Hannaford store manager Andy Harris that appeared in the Keene Sentinel.