You could say big hearts mean big business, at least in the case of the Douglas Elbert Task Force.

Managing the food bank at the Douglas Elbert Task Force is big business when you take into account the number of Douglas and Elbert County residents assisted in 2006 (more than 10,000, more than half children), the number of food orders filled weekly (more than 100), and the annual value of food and toiletry items distributed (more than $300,000).

Rodolfo Gallegos manages the bustling food bank. His assistant, Brenda, once needed food bank assistance, assistance she explains helped her and her fourteen-year-old daughter survive a financial crisis.

Brenda lived in Baltimore, MD, for more than a dozen years before deciding in 2006 to relocate herself and her daughter to the Castle Rock area. Her plan was to stay temporarily with her sister, who lives here with her family. Brenda felt sure finding work would not take long.

However, finding a job in the Castle Rock area in 2006 proved longer and harder than Brenda had anticipated. Her funds were rapidly depleting and her sister's landlord objected to the extra two residents. He advised Brenda's sister she'd have to evict Brenda and her daughter or begin paying almost $1,000 extra per month in rent. Brenda had to go.

Though Brenda managed to secure employment at Walmart and scrape together enough for a decent apartment, no extra dollars allowed for groceries. Brenda tried to make arrangements for temporary government assistance. Not only would the wait have been a problem for Brenda and her daughter, Brenda quickly learned her modest wage at Wal-Mart actually disqualified her.

When a neighbor of Brenda's sister heard of her plight, heard that Brenda and her daughter might actually face hunger, she directed her to the Douglas Elbert Task Force where, she explained, food for families in crisis is available.

Brenda isn't sure what she would have done without the assistance of the Douglas Elbert Task Force and its emergency services. Rather than wonder, she is simply grateful.

Today Brenda is the assistant at the food bank to the manager, Rodolfo Gallegos. She continues to put in a full work week at Wal-Mart and another twenty hours per week at the food bank. Sixty hours per week is tough. But, Brenda is thankful for the work, for her apartment, to be on her feet and to have a happy fourteen-year-old daughter who, by the way, is also trying to find a job.

Brenda says families who find themselves in dire financial circumstances should not be defeated by "no", which is likely to be the answer over and over when seeking temporary assistance. "Never give up" are Brenda's words, words that sum her triumph nicely.

Brenda pays it forward now. She received. Now she gives. She exemplifies the ideal outcome for those who arrive at the door of the Douglas Elbert Task Force with hands outstretched in need.

Find out how to help. Please contact Suzanne Greene at (303) 688-1114.