Around here, you cannot say Sandra without a smile! Sandra Flora has been volunteering with the mission for more than five years. As the outreach coordinator at her church, Covenant Faith Center, she sought us out as a potential partner back in 2010 and, in her words, “I could not have chosen a better group.” Sandra believes that the timing was perfect and sees her volunteer work as an assignment fit just for her.

Sandra volunteers in our kitchen weekly, helping to prepare warm, nutritious, family-style meals for our guests. You can often find her in the kitchen slowly humming or swaying to worship music as her hands work away preparing food. She also volunteers each month with her church group as they lead the guests in lively worship in our living room. Sandra has been married to her husband Ed, who brings an inspiring message for guests each month, for nine “wonderful years”; they have two sons, Josh and Michael, both of whom also volunteer at the mission.

Sandra loves working with staff and says she feels staff “make it easy and motivating for volunteers to want to be a part of the success.” When asked what keeps her motivated, she gives one of her classic broad smiles and, with a twinkle in her eye, says, “The opportunity to help others brings me joy, the guests are so thankful and appreciative, and I love to cook! It makes me happy!”