From Receiving Help to Giving It: One Volunteer’s Commitment to Serving Lebanon
When Cindy Gonzalez first walked through the doors of The Salvation Army in Lebanon, she was looking for help.
She had recently lost her mother, someone she had been deeply close to, and was struggling to find her footing. Like many others facing difficult moments, she turned to the Corps’ senior food box program, hoping for a bit of support during a hard season.
But what she found inside changed everything.
For more than a century, The Salvation Army has served Lebanon County, providing food assistance, youth programs, worship services, holiday support, and other essential resources for individuals and families in need. Much of that work depends on volunteers who help keep programs running and ensures that support reaches those who need it most.
Today, Cindy is one of the Lebanon Corps’ most dedicated volunteers, serving full-time and supporting nearly every aspect of daily operations. Over the past two years, she has logged more than 2,000 hours of service.
Cindy still clearly remembers the day that drew her closer to The Salvation Army. After realizing she had not received her food box delivery, she was asked to come into the Corps to sort it out. When she arrived, prepared to complain, something unexpected happened.
“I walked in, and they said, ‘You speak English and Spanish. We need you,’” she said.
Cindy saw the need for volunteers firsthand, but she was not sure she was ready to commit. Still grieving the loss of her mother, she went home and reflected on the request.
“I talk to my mom every day,” Cindy said. “I asked her, ‘Is this a sign? Is this something you’re sending me?’ Because this is the kind of thing we used to do together.”
She decided to give it a try. Now, more than two years later, she is still there.
Cindy volunteers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., often returning on Sundays to help restock the pantry. She helps greet clients, translate for Spanish-speaking families, organize donations, and support the clothing room.
One place in particular holds special meaning.
“The food pantry is my fourth child,” Cindy said.
Cindy has been involved since the very beginning. From painting and setup to ordering food and organizing distribution, she has been part of every step, helping transform the space from an empty room into a fully operating food pantry. The pantry, which served more than 7,000 individuals in a year, now serves community members twice a week, with demand continuing to grow.
While she helps keep the Corps running, it is the personal connections that define her work.
“Hugging the clients, crying with them, laughing with them,” she said. “That’s part of it too.”
One woman came to the Corps during a difficult period, facing job loss and housing instability. She had applied for dozens of jobs without success and was beginning to lose hope. Cindy spent time with her, offering encouragement and helping her connect with resources.
“I just kept telling her, ‘This will pass. You’re going to get through this,’” she said.
Eventually, things began to change. The woman found a job. Her family stabilized. They moved into a new apartment. Now, when Cindy sees her around town, her new friend always stops to say thank you.
“It’s so rewarding for people to come in such need and for you to be able to help them,” Cindy said. “The joy, the tears, the gratitude. To be a part of that is just amazing.”
“Cindy shows up every day ready to serve wherever she’s needed,” said Lieutenant Richard Mahida, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army in Lebanon. “She brings compassion, consistency, and heart to everything she does.”
During a recent Civic Service and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, Cindy was named Volunteer of the Year, recognizing her commitment of more than 1,000 hours each year.
Cindy’s approach to volunteering is rooted in something her mother taught her.
“When you receive help, you don’t always have to pay it back with money,” she said. “There are other ways.”
She carries that message into every interaction, encouraging others to give back in whatever way they can. Whether she is welcoming someone through the doors, offering a word of encouragement, or inviting them to get involved, she sees each moment as a chance to build something stronger within the community. Just as she once walked into The Salvation Army looking for help, today she is the helper, offering that same support and encouraging others to take their first step.
“There’s never enough help,” she said. “The more people we have, the more we can do.”