How Meng came to SFBFS

Hello, my name is Meng Teurn. My family escaped from Laos in 1975 when communists took over the country. We fled to the refugee camp in Thailand so that the United Nations could protect us and the other refugees.

We stayed in Thailand for some time and learned that the US government was accepting refugees to the United States of America. We applied and we were some of the lucky ones who were accepted.

My family arrived safely to Sacramento. It was very hard for us because we did not speak English. I found Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) offered adult learning center with free classes. There I met my good friend Craig Usher, who was the Adult Education Program Manager. Through him I discovered that Leslie and Father Dan, the who were leading SFBFS at that time, were seeking a janitor.

I told them I was interested in the job. Leslie and Father Dan interviewed me and hired me in 1997 and I have been here ever since. I am very happy to get this job. I enjoy working with all the nice team members and I like my bosses. They are good people.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services helped me make my life better. It gave me an opportunity to meet good people, learn English and get a job so I can support my family.

Thank you to all the volunteers and donors for supporting SFBFS. Thank you to all those who continue to support and those who will support us in the future. I hope we all can work together to make a better future for SFBFS and the community.

Submitted by Meng Teurn, SFBFS Janitor