Jefferson Awards: Overcoming Homelessness To Feed Those In Need
NEWARK (CBS 5) - Escaping an abusive marriage, she lost everything and became homeless. Today Joanne Paletta has found her way back and serves as the program director for the Tri-Cities League of Volunteers.
Paletta has helped coordinate hundreds of food baskets, which are distributed to needy families by the League every year. Buckets delivered from a high school food drive fill the League of Volunteers food pantry in Newark where volunteers sort through the supply. Many of her volunteers are single moms who at one time or another have been on the receiving end of this good will and now want to help.
"Joanne will do whatever she can to make sure your kids aren't hungry or you aren't hungry," volunteer Leanore Delacruz said. "She always comes up with a new way to help someone."
It was fifteen years ago when Paletta started the food pantry program after witnessing local families going hungry. The need was so great, she went on to add an Adopt a Family program for Christmas wishes.
"She's made my Christmases for my family awesome where they wouldn't have Christmas, they have Christmas," volunteer Tracy Hehir said. "She's a blessing."
Paletta has worked alongside the people she serves and understands their daily struggles because she has been there.
"I came from a very well to do family. It's just my life took a wrong turn and I turned up homeless," Paletta said. "This is the type of work I was meant to do. (I was meant) to give back to the community, because at one time or another, the community helped me when I was in need."
It has been twenty-five years since Paletta slept in a homeless encampment tent in Niles. Today she is grateful for the life she has happily married and with a roof over her head, but Paletta says she never forgets. She keeps a stash of warm emergency supplies at home in case someone knocks on her door.
"As I say, I bring my work home with me," Paletta said. "Everyday I get up to go to work I know there is someone there who is going to need my help. If I can make a difference in somebody's life, it's worth it."
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