Cape Coral food bank volunteer relies on same service he provides

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—As part of WINK's Serves mission, WINK News anchor Claire Galt joined volunteers at the Breeze Church in Cape Coral, helping the Harry Chapin Food Bank feed hundreds of families struggling to afford groceries.

Among the volunteers was Eddie Rucker, a man who greets everyone with a hug and makes the day feel lighter. He knows everyone and talks to everyone, bringing warmth to those waiting in line.

But when Eddie finishes helping everyone else, he gets in line too.

"The same thing that we put out here, I take it home, and I cook it myself," Rucker said.

You'd never know it from his big smile, but Eddie struggles to feed his family. Despite his own challenges, he continues to volunteer because he understands what the people in line are going through.

"The same line that you see back there, that's the line I came from those people, and I want them to know that I'm the same person, whether I'm up front or in the back or whatever, I'm here for them," Rucker said.

He feels their fear.

"Scary, you know, not knowing where you can get your next meal from," Rucker said. "Maybe you might be too embarrassed to ask someone for something."

But Eddie knows the people in this line have nothing to be embarrassed about. They're working and raising families, yet still falling short.

Ray, 79, didn't expect to be living paycheck to paycheck at this stage of his life. He struggles to buy basics like milk and eggs.

"My wife and I are both on Social Security, and as I said, you know, with the mortgage and everything going on, everything is going up, except for Social Security; it's hard," Ray said.

Ray doesn't know how he'd eat without the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

"It's very hard for me to even talk to you guys about this, because I don't, I'm a personal person," Ray said. "I don't like to talk about things like this, but you know, everybody out there should know about Harry Chapin Food Bank. It's definitely a godsend."

Ray thanks God for volunteers like Eddie, who make sure he leaves with a bag full of food and a "good morning."