The call came from a mother who was doing everything she could — and still needed help.
She explained that she was disabled and unable to shop in the pantry herself. She needed groceries for her family, including her teenage daughter, who is autistic. Her biggest concern wasn’t the food. It was her daughter’s safety.
Before they ever arrived, the mom asked the question that mattered most: Would her daughter be safe? Would she be welcomed?
When the teenager arrived at Crosslines, it was clear how hard this step had been. She was scared — not just nervous, but overwhelmed by a space that was new, busy, and unfamiliar. Sensing that immediately, a waiting room volunteer gently took her by the hand and walked her over to Sherry*, a longtime Crosslines volunteer.
From the start, Sherry met her exactly where she was.
As Sherry guided her through the intake process, the girl’s mom stayed on speaker phone — a lifeline of reassurance and support. Sherry moved slowly and carefully, explaining each step, making space for questions, and never rushing the moment.
At one point, the girl said quietly, “All I need is a friend.”
Without hesitation, Sherry replied, “I’ll be your friend.”
Then came another question — one that carried real weight: “Do you have my back?”
Sherry didn’t soften it or sidestep it. She answered simply and clearly: “Yes. I have your back.”
And she meant it.
Sherry left her intake station and walked with the teen through the pantry alongside a Crosslines volunteer. Together, they shopped. They talked. They laughed. On the other end of the phone, the mom listened — hearing joy and confidence replace fear in real time.
For that young woman, it wasn’t just a pantry visit. It was an experience she may never have believed was possible: navigating a public space, making choices, and being supported without judgment.
It was a moment of trust honored — and a reminder of who we strive to be.
This is what it looks like to meet people where they are.This is what it looks like to love with intention.And this is what happens when someone says, “I’ve got your back” — and proves it.