Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius Tigner-Jackson.
Hi Darius, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Working at The Grocery Spot as the Volunteer Director has been so rewarding. I was recommended to The Grocery Spot after leaving corporate America and was in need of food, which was a major expense for me being out of work. My lovely best friend Terion Koonce referred me to The Grocery Spot to get some food since I was in need. It was such a great experience getting in the line and handpicking the food items I need it for myself and asking the volunteers there did they had more volunteer opportunities in which they stated they did. In the midst of me in need of groceries, I was a few hundred dollars short of my rent and reached out to Ms. Christy Betz, who is a part of the Giving Grace organization, and she helped me with rental assistance and also gave me the opportunity to come work at The Grocery Spot alongside founder Matthew Jones. From there, I have skyrocketed into so many different avenues being at The Grocery Spot from stocking shelves to interacting with the shoppers that come through to going out in the public and fighting for food justice by spreading the word of other this mission.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of being at The Grocery Spot has been fantastic. I enjoy so many aspects of it every day, from interacting with the internal volunteers to interacting with the external volunteers to talking with the shoppers that come through the doors on a daily basis. Every shopper has a story from being a part of the working class or just in major need a food due to the major expense it is. Overall, there are no struggles or hurdles that may come in other than us not having enough donations from people around the world and in these communities that we serve to help in food justice. Five dollars can go so much further than anyone can imagine when it comes to making sure families have the food they need on the table
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Grocery Spot is a community supported FREE grocery store and event space. We offer a free shopping experience to anyone who may need it. We do not have any requirements or applications; all are welcome.
My area of expertise is Volunteer Management- recruiting, marketing, and engaging in new orientation with volunteers.
The Grocery Spot is so different from other food banks in Georgia and around the globe. We give shoppers the opportunity to come in with a grocery store format and pick the items they need for their families. We understand that families have different dietary needs and looking for more healthier lifestyle, and we offer those options at The Grocery Spot.
The most rewarding thing that I can say I’m proud of is all the lives that are changed daily that come in and walk away with the food necessities they need for their families because food is love, and with the love, you can spread that joy with a home-cooked meal.
What I want people to know is that we’re not funded by the government or any faith-based or church-related organizations. All of our donations are given by the shoppers who come through those doors and the supporters of the Grocery Spots mission. So, if you can make a donation towards our mission so we can help other families that are in need, which are the working class individuals or the individual who just lost their job or the individual that is dealing with cancer treatments right now, or the individuals that are disabled are veterans, our teachers who are supplying our kids with the education and nutritional supplements that they need the change and change and start today.
Ways to support/donate:
Text FOODJUSTICE to 44321
Cashapp: $thegroceryspot
Venmo: @the-grocery-spot
Zelle: info@thegroceryspot.org
PayPal: info@thegroceryspot.org
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
On my journey, being at The Grocery Spot, the most rewarding lesson I’ve learned would be to spread positive energy to any and everyone that you cross paths with. The most important thing is given individuals options because, a lot of times, we don’t know that we have options until we talk to someone about the situation, and they present other options that we were not aware of or just couldn’t think of at that moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Thegroceryspot.Org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroceryspot/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegroceryspot/?business_id=10152592499697447
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegroceryspot
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGrocerySpot
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Wj_XtIsUHVI?si=GtAKcdG8B5aBfWjw
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-grocery-spot-atlanta
