Primary Location
Amenities
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lot
Recycling
Clothing
Parking
On-site parking
Following you will read the email I sent to OV church. After no response, I felt it would be important to warn you about the food they serve and the incapable hands that run the program.
I am reaching out to you regarding a most unpleasant interaction at yesterday's food distribution. It was my first time voluneering and sadly will be my last after the encounter I had. We arrived at 5am. At approximately 6:45am, we huddled as a group. Greg and another man spoke on prayer requests and about being kind to all others after an apparent social media blast regarding the staff being unkind. I was at the ceviche station and Gia was helping me unload the cases. We noticed there were a few that were filling with gas from bacteria, causing the plastic wrap on top to bubble to near explosion so we set them aside. I am 52 years old with 36 years experience in the food industry and a great deal of that time was in management which means I have to take a servesafe course regarding food safety that is an 8 hour course so I am well versed in food safety. My background includes working with at risk population and food insecurity. Greg saw we had set them aside and directed me to hand them out. I said but they are bad. He raised his voice at me and told me he had been doing this for 16 years and they were absolutely fine to serve and to hand them out. He also tried to say they were bubbling because of the sun hitting them which wasn't the case as they were bubbled upon removing from the cases. He came back and yelled at me in front of volunteers and customers for telling other volunteers what to do and I did not once tell anyone what to do. Meanwhile, my 15 year old cousin is standing right next to me. Everyone around us is uncomfortable. They are apologizing for his behavior and commending me for remaining humble and not responding in kind. I took it upon myself to not serve the bubbled ceviche and get anyone who may have ingested it food poisoning. At the end of the food distribution I was walking to my car. A lady said, "he's calling you". So, I stopped and turned. It was once again Grag. His exact words to me were, "I was calling you". I stated i did not hear him. He went on to say exactly this, "I'm sorry BUT I have 16 years experience". Which he felt the need to tell me everytime he approached me. Any apology followed by but is not an apology. Not once did he or any other leader approach me with a hello and an introduction. If this is how you treat volunteers, how do you expect to retain them? And finally, how do you intend to stay open when causing food borne illness by passing out rancid food? Thank you for your time. I'm beyond disappointed in my experience all the way around. Please educate your people on food borne illness especially considering you are providing food to the at risk population which means children and elderly people.
