In a modest warehouse on Jackson Avenue, before the first rays of sunlight illuminate the streets of Memphis, Ruth Rawlings-Banks—affectionately known as “The General” by her army of volunteers—rallies her troops.
It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and Feed the Needy, the organization Rawlings-Banks has led for 30 years, is preparing to distribute over 300,000 pounds of food to families across three states.
The efficiency and professionalism volunteers bring to the effort are only outmatched by the volume, Rawlings-Banks said. More than 400 volunteers have already contributed to the effort, sorting and packing boxes — and that’s before the giveaway actually even happens.
“I got a whole ‘nother army coming at 3 a.m.,” she said. “The place will be jumping.”
This year marks a milestone for Feed the Needy, but for Rawlings-Banks and its dedicated supporters, including volunteers from Valero Memphis Refinery, the mission remains deeply personal.
“I’ve seen it all—good, bad, and ugly,” she said. “What keeps me going is knowing the impact we’ve had. We’re not just delivering food; we’re delivering hope. And when you hear those cries for help, you can’t turn away.”
The heart of the mission
Rawlings-Banks recalled a particularly poignant story about a woman she spoke with recently. The woman had just buried her six-year-old granddaughter, a St. Jude patient, and was still grieving the loss of her 20-year-old son to cancer.
“She told me her phone was down to 5 percent, and I said, ‘Hang up and save your battery. I’ll call you tomorrow,’” Rawlings-Banks recounted. “When I did, she said everything I told her was echoed by her pastor at her granddaughter’s funeral. That’s what we’re here for—to listen, to care, and to act.”
For Lisa Jenkins, a long-time volunteer and Valero Memphis Refinery employee, that personal touch is what makes Feed the Needy unique.
“It’s not just about handing out food. This program lifts people’s spirits and reminds them that someone cares,” Jenkins said. “It’s one of Valero’s most popular volunteer efforts because it’s so meaningful. Everyone—whether you’re packing boxes or delivering them—walks away feeling like they’ve made a difference.”
Feeding bodies and souls
Each food box contains a mix of perishable and non-perishable items—dubbed the “hot box” and “cold box.” Together, the 70-pound packages are designed to supplement meals for a family well beyond Thanksgiving.
“We know it’s not enough for every meal, but it helps families stretch their resources between holidays,” Jenkins said.
This approach is critical in Memphis, where rising food costs force many families to make impossible choices.
“People are having to choose between medicine and meals,” Rawlings-Banks said. “It’s not just the unemployed—it’s working-class families who are struggling to make ends meet. We’re here to bridge that gap.”
A volunteer effort like no other
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Feed the Needy. From corporate sponsors like Valero to local manufacturers such as Richardson Oil Seed and Hershey’s, more than 400 volunteers work in shifts to pack and distribute the food boxes.
“Once you volunteer with Feed the Needy, you come back year after year,” Jenkins said. “There’s something special about the camaraderie. Everyone—from line workers to executives—is equal in the effort to help our neighbors. Ruth sets the tone, and we all follow her lead.”
The organization’s roots in manufacturing inspire a sense of precision and purpose. “Ruth runs this like a company—every step is intentional,” Jenkins said. “And that’s why it works so well. It’s like a train moving into the city, and everyone is a critical part of keeping it on track.”
Rise, grind . . . and give
Indeed, that “train” started moving at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and kept building momentum throughout the morning at MSCS’ Bayer warehouse facility on Jackson Ave.
By 5 a.m., when The Tri-State Defender arrived, the warehouse space was bustling with at least 60-70 volunteers, mostly from the Memphis Police Department. One of those officers was Tan Taylor, participating in the giveaway for the first time.
“I was recruited to help out, and very excited to give back to the community in a very thoughtful and fulfilling way,” she said. “There’s no better way than giving food!”
Taylor said she sees the harshness of Memphis during her shifts, but volunteering with Feed The Needy helps feed her spirit.
“It actually gives me a sense of fulfillment, to fill each box and know that each box is going to a family in a greater way,”
Tan Taylor, Memphis police officer
“It actually gives me a sense of fulfillment, to fill each box and know that each box is going to a family in a greater way,” Taylor said. “It’s very heartfelt, very fulfilling, versus seeing the roughness out there. This is calm. Relaxing.”
The space was portioned into two areas: the packing area, where hundreds of open boxes were waiting to be completed and sealed; and the loading area, where Rawlings-Banks was directing forklifts before eventually climbing into the driver’s seat herself and moving pallettes.
As Rawlings-Banks reflected on her 30 years of service, she remained focused on the road ahead.
“This isn’t about me,” she said. “It’s about what God has allowed us to do for our community. And as long as there’s a need, we’ll be here to meet it.”
For more information, contact Ruth Rawlings-Banks at (901) 482-1114 or Lisa W. Jenkins at (901) 652-5063.
Follow the effort on social media using #30YearsOfFeedingNeighbors and #FeedTheNeedy901. Or visit the website at https://www.feedtheneedy1994.org
