Sandra Cardona scans the growing line, counting wordlessly to herself. As a sales manager at Puyallup’s Anchor Bank, this sunny blonde is used to tallying. She gathers a manageable number of icy water bottles from a cooler and approaches the crowd. “Any takers?”
Some of the folks in line have already helped themselves to a hot dog, grilled to perfection on this mild Friday afternoon. This is not the first time that Anchor Bank’s Sandra Cardona has donated half a day to packaging and dispersing food donations with the Angel One Foundation; it is, however, the first time that this branch manager has donned an apron and wielded a spatula for the cause. “I’m so grateful to have been a part of this and other drives over the last few years,” Sandra says. “But this is my first time hosting a barbecue at their food drive. A lot of people in line wouldn’t mind a hot dog while they’re waiting for food. It may only be a hot dog or a bottled water, but it means so much.”
As Sandra grills hotdogs, she mentions that even though it’s grilling season, not everyone is in a position to throw together a backyard barbecue. “We wanted to host a little while-you-wait luncheon for the patrons at Angel One,” she says, referring to herself and her long-time friend and event coordinator, Lana Duckworth, who is a secretary on the board at Angel One.
Sandra surveys the spread. “I got hot dogs with all the fixings, chips and water bottles.” She smiles broadly. “Can I make you a hot dog?” she calls out to a line-bound passerby, stomach no doubt rumbling as she and her little brood make their way to the line; the robust smell of BBQ is hard to resist. The woman’s children don’t need any encouragement — their chins are already level with the table’s edge and they are eyeing their dog of choice.
The hot meal that Anchor Bank sponsored on July 10 was to benefit the families that rely on Angel One’s food donations to stretch their means. The community bank, which prides itself on its rich connection to the public that it serves, came to cook and serve food that day, as well as provide bags with which to carry the food home in and assist loading up the haul for those in need. Lana reports that the donations that Anchor Bank has made have provided timely necessities for the Angel One Foundation, including the bags and boxes used to transport contributions, the tables used for distribution and, in many cases, the money or materials such as food and clothing that make these drives possible in the first place.
Anchor Bank has been donating a handful of hours every few weeks to South Sound non-profit Angel One since 2011. “Sandra at Anchor Bank has a huge heart for the community,” says Lana. “She was already conducting a school supply and backpack drive when I introduced myself three years ago and explained how Angel One Foundation could work with Anchor Bank to distribute those supplies to the community members that need their help the most.” That year, Anchor Bank provided the majority of Angel One’s school supplies, and the bank has been donating regularly ever since. “We have worked well together over the years,” says Lana, “and have a truly amazing partnership.
Angel One was birthed in 1998. Founders Lloyd and Jean Duckworth, local community members with a vision of helping others, felt deeply that they could help community members in real and tangible ways. The couple began to operate officially as a non-profit in 2006, offering to help pay medical and utility bills as well as rent for folks who were falling behind. Jean passed in 2009, but the legacy of her spirit and passion for good works continues to touch those less fortunate nearly two decades later.
In addition to a weekly mobile food bank, which was established at Angel One in 2011, Angel One also works with local businesses and non-profits like Anchor Bank to give away backpacks and school supplies every September. In 2015 Angel One organized a once-a-month clothing drive that will make new and gently used clothing available to children and families. Anchor Bank is one of many organizations that works with Angle One to organize a Thanksgiving feast drive, and, in addition to the weekly food on offer from the non-profit, during the holiday season those in need can also receive a whole turkey complete with all the trimmings. Angel One’s largest event comes during Christmas time during its Giving Tree event. During the holidays, gifts large and small are distributed to those in the community who would otherwise go without.
Once all of the mobile food bank patrons have had their fill of make-shift block party fare, Sandra tidies her grilling station before moving to assist with the packing and loading of donations. “Working with Anchor Bank,” says Lana, “has been a wonderful experience. They are always so cheerful and willing to help! Anchor Bank is a leader in our community, with a huge goal to make a difference.”
The food bank and financial bank have a positive and synergetic relationship, Sandra thinks, because the two organizations are birds of a feather. “The goals of Angel One and Anchor Bank are so much alike,” explains Sandra. “Angel One is out to serve the community, and we have so many of the same goals. This non-profit is relatively small in size, but consists of a tight-knit group that is always welcoming new people, loving and caring, and you can sense that. Similarly, [our branch in Puyallup] is the only Anchor Bank in Pierce County. Some banks have branches on every street corner, but people come to us because they love that we’re so community-oriented. Anchor Bank is very, very connected to the community that we serve.”
With the support of businesses like Anchor Bank, Angel One will continue to live up to its motto: “Real help for real people with real needs.” The organization is always accepting donations of money, food and clothing for its charitable work. These donations can be made through Anchor Bank, which is located in Puyallup’s Sunrise Village shopping center, or by reaching out to Angel One directly via its website.
