This Mother’s Day, we are so inspired by the mothers in our community who are constantly giving. From managing work responsibilities to navigating their children’s school, extracurricular activities, financial obligations, and more, fresh food can sometimes become a lower priority. That’s where Inter-Faith Food Shuttle steps in, providing nutritious food to our partner agencies who then distribute it to individuals and families across our service area. This way, we can provide extra support to neighbors like Linda. 

Linda Campell, originally from Virginia, has been living in the Garner area for over 20 years with her husband and daughter. She works in the insurance sector in Raleigh, ensuring that her family is well cared for. However, that has come with its own unique challenges. 

“When I came across this program, it was during the time around COVID when people started working from home and jobs were scarce and financially [we were] struggling,” Linda said. “At that time, my daughter had braces. That’s a commitment that you have because you want the best for your children. Then, my husband’s job hours were getting cut. Finding this program was a big blessing to us.” 

Sometimes, food insecurity can simply be a cause of financial commitments building up and other needs being prioritized. For Linda, her daughter’s braces were a necessity that made food less accessible each month. Thanks to the Food Shuttle’s partnership with Clayton Vineyard Church, she was able to bring home fresh produce, meat, bread, and more, providing more flexibility to care for her family without sacrificing their needs. 

“This food program right here is the best I have ever seen,” she said. “[Because of this program,] I could make sure my daughter’s retainer payments for her braces and stuff was all done. And just the love among the people that service and give up their time each week… it’s priceless.” 

One of the most inspiring qualities about Linda is her unwavering generosity. Once she ensures that her family is sufficiently fed, she shares her food box with coworkers, family members, and neighbors who express their need for extra support. She doesn’t hesitate to pay it forward in her community. 

“Ms. Linda also shares her box with [her] godmother,” Priya, a volunteer at Clayton Vineyard Church, said. “So, it’s not just this family. She also passes it on to one of her coworkers. But her godmother… [she] can’t cook. So, we have prepared meals that we get, and Ms. Linda takes her that kind of food that can be made in the microwave or in an oven.” 

“She’s by herself now; she lost her husband in April,” Linda said. “And she said to me, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to make it.’ I said, ‘God, I’ll always find a way.’ So, then I started sharing this food with her, and what a blessing it’s been. A lot of the blessings that I get here, I share it with other families so that they know you can also reach out.” 

When asked about what motivates her to be so generous in giving back, Linda expressed that it’s just in her nature. 

“My parents separated when I was nine, and my dad was [not] in the household,” she said. “My mom had seven kids, and I was the oldest, so I had to grow up fast. And I’m always telling my daughter, growing up, people were in my life to help me. And she asked me one time, she said, ‘Mama, why did you do this for this person? Why did you do this or why didn’t you charge him to do this?’ I said baby, you don’t charge people for things that you do from your heart.” 

Thank you, Linda, for being a shining light in our community. Your compassion for your neighbors is inspiring and your unwavering commitment to your family and community touches us all. 

This Mother’s Day, join us in celebrating Linda and all the extraordinary mothers in our community by giving a gift in honor of your own mom. 

To donate, visit www.foodshuttle.org/spring9