Reflections on Gratitude: Brenda Garrand and David Pierson

David Pierson and Brenda Garrand recently reflected on their longstanding support for Good Shepherd Food Bank and the reasons they decided to include the Food Bank in their estate plan. In its beginning years, David and Brenda admired the Food Bank’s founder, JoAnn Pike, and they still find inspiration in JoAnn’s ideals that continue to flourish at the Food Bank: love for community, inspired and pragmatic entrepreneurialism and gratefulness to be in the position to share.

Working in Lewiston after graduating from Bates opened David’s eyes to just how hard people work to provide the basics for their families. He first learned of the Food Bank while a construction manager for the renovation of the Lisbon Street warehouse. For David, “helping to make things right in the world” is an abiding value. It takes shape in his passion for ensuring that food, the most basic of needs, is available to people and his many years of service to the Food Bank as a volunteer, advisory and board member.

As a child in a small New Hampshire town, community members “Uncle Bill” and “Aunt Marge” indelibly influenced Brenda. Bill worked as a carpenter and Marge raised chickens, baked bread and tended a bountiful garden. According to Brenda, “These folks were not wealthy but they quietly provided vegetables, eggs and chicken with love, care and dignity to community members who needed it, and it was just as natural for them as getting up in the morning and brushing their teeth.”

Brenda and David mused that they are grateful to their fellow donors at the Food Bank, as they enjoy being part of a grassroots community where people from all walks of life meaningfully support the mission and where everyone can be part of a team doing great things.

Help Your Neighbors

Like Brenda and David, you, too, can join a community of like-minded people who enjoy helping their neighbors by supporting the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. Contact Erin Peck Yarema at (207) 344-1248 or eyarema@gsfb.org to learn more about your gift options.