Meet Kimberly Talbot

We recently connected with Kimberly Talbot and have shared our conversation below.

Kimberly, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I truly believe everyone has a calling or purpose in life. Finding that calling or purpose is the challenge we all face. My father always would say the old quote ” find something you love you will never work a day in your life”. Let’s take a moment to think about this quote. Am I doing what I love? Is this what I was put here to do?
As a child I always thought I was meant to be a teacher. Babysitting and working in preschools thru my teens, I truly felt this was it. I soon was off to college studying elementary education, music education and fine arts. I loved what I was doing. I loved the children and my studies. Like most college students I did need to hold two jobs to afford that full time student status, rent and necessities.
Needing a night and weekend job I applied for a Christmas help position as a children’s photography studio in the mall. . I was still working with children and families. I fell in love with this job. I was quickly offered a management position and happily took it. I could still work with children and was able to teach my employees photography. Here is where I found my competitive side. Striving to be number one in the company and always joking with my challenger to who will be on top this month. A few years later I was offered a position to become a corporate trainer. Traveling the US, opening new studios, teaching and still holding the ability to work with children. This was truly it. What I thought was my purpose shifted in my twenties.
In my twenties I started my career. I was married, moved to a new state and had my first child. But was this ” do what you love”? I loved the fast pace, the travel, and the teaching . Like all fast pace life styles do we actually stop and look into ourselves to see if we are truly happy and fulfilled? I still wanted more. I wanted to be home more for my son and start my own company. I had a great business partner and soon opened my own company. I was able to create memories for families, still teach, doing my passion of photography and be there for my family. Then my world was shaken. My partner wasn’t who I thought they were and we separated. I walked away from my dream shattered. I began to question myself. Who am I now? Why am I here on this earth?
My thirties were definitely the decade of finding my purpose. I decided to stay home for awhile with my son. Knowing myself enough that I couldn’t sit still, I took a position as an Operations manager for a major company. This was good and I enjoyed my job. As my father was ending his battle with cancer he said to me one last time ” are you happy in life?”. ” I have a home, a husband, a child and a good job I’m happy” I replied. Now that I’m older that’s not what he meant, but he wanted me to figure it out. I went on to have my second and third son. With the birth of my third son my world changed yet again. My third child we knew would be born with a kidney disorder. We were told he would need surgery when he was born to remove one of his kidneys. My husband and I decided I would leave the corporate world and stay home with our children. I was at this point in my later thirties and again questioning my purpose. Was I always meant to be a stay at home mom?
Remember when I said I can’t sit still? I quickly joined the PTA, became a member of Rotary and fell in love with service work. I started helping working parents get their children to and from school, started a snacks for all children program in my school district, built a bigger adopt a family network, and helped with our backpack program. With all my corporate success this feeling of being the change for families was more fulfilling.
Now in my later forties I realize what my father was asking. Looking back I was finding my purpose. I’ve found my purpose. I was meant to serve. All the jobs and experiences were teaching me skills I need to serve. I needed that one experience to stop me, make me slow down and listen to my heart . To take a good look and find my purpose.
Today I work with children, my home is the hub for donations to be dropped off and quickly given to someone in need. I am a co-founder of an innovative food pantry, a proud member of Rotary, the Vice President of our school district’s Board of Education, and still continue the programs I started in my thirties. All those lessons, jobs and dreams combined allow me to serve my purpose. The purpose I found was not only to serve, but to also be the change in my community. Now not only to I fulfill my purpose I help to create opportunities for others to serve so that they have the chance to find their own purpose

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a Community Organizer I have lots of projects going on to serve my community. They range from addressing food insecurity to creating youth programs. My largest project so far is co-founding an innovative community food pantry. This pantry is called The Fresh Table of Scotia Glenville.
When we hear the words “food pantry” we think of lines of people receiving a box of food. These are often located in and run by religious organizations, placed in the inner city, and you must be under a certain income to be approved for assistance.
While I live in a community that looks ” affluent” folks are experiencing food insecurity. A hidden shame behind closed doors so that no one would know. The pandemic opened our eyes to how many families in our community are one or two paychecks away from not being able to put food on their table. My co-founder and I saw the need and were looking for a way to help.
The Regional Food Bank knew we were movers and shakers in our community who were trying to find a new way to serve. They had done a study and survey in our community and the information was eye opening. While we knew food insecurity was here we didn’t know the amount. The stigma of needing help, the fear of neighbors finding out, the location of the village’s pantry, the limited access and the ability to qualify for help were all keeping our community from visiting the brick and mortar food pantry at the church.
The Regional Food Bank asked the question” how do we help?” “What can we do to get these folks help?”. During covid my cofounder and I had this crazy idea or dream you may say. Knowing we live in an ALICE( Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) community and with the help of the food bank now could be the time to make this dream a reality. What if we could create a farmers market with fresh produce, meat, fruit and dairy? A place where all are welcome. A pantry that you don’t have to qualify. A place to keep your pride and shop for what your family will eat. SO that is just what we did.
In the winter of 2022 we met with the stake holders in the community to bring everyone to the table in order to hear their perspective, gain support and form this community pantry. With the support of Schenectady Shares, the Regional Food Bank and dedicated volunteers we opened as a pilot program in the spring of 2022. What does this innovative pop up food pantry look like ? How does this work? Let me explain. Every third Wednesday of the month volunteers gather at 4:30pm at a location which rotates between the town of Glenville and the village of Scotia. They quickly assemble white tents and tables. These are placed in a farmers market style. The regional food bank delivers over 3000lbs of food each month. The volunteers then place the food onto the table, separating meats to keep in mind those who are kosher or Hallal. This was important to us so we can serve everyone. They are set up by meat, fruit, produce ,diary and grains. Volunteers are there to restock the tables, welcome the guests and help aid anyone who needs assistance.
We open 6pm-7:30 pm. To our surprise lines started forming at 4:30pm. Guests do an intake once a year, not needing to prove residency or income. Remember I live in an ALICE community where people make just over the income level to receive assistance. Our program is here to fill the gap for those who need food to help stretch their paychecks. The intake process is easy and confidential. This allows us to know how many we are serving, demographics and if we are continuously meeting the needs of the community. We relaized we definitely were, as we needed to order more food because we were running out within the first hour.
Our first year open we served 2300 guests. The second year 3500 guests and became a permanent entity of the Regional Food Bank. In the third year we hit over 6400 guests! We can see that taking the information from the survey was defiantly key to our success. Knowing that folks were uncomfortable going to a church, not wanting to be seen receiving a big box of food that they may not eat and feeling judged were obstacles we tried to really focus on. I started to see that stigma break down. Neighbors were coming to grab a bag for a neighbor, Folks in line were becoming friends, the open area and ability to choose what they take was keeping their sense of pride. Volunteers were becoming family not only with each other but part of the community as well. This was seeing two goals, bringing assistance to those who need it and creating a community that supports each other. I am so proud of this dream becoming a reality and of the hard work and support from the volunteers,

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back I would have to say the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are the ability to adapt, being an active listener, and having an optimistic attitude. These qualities allowed me to pivot when needed, the ability to listen and aid in what truly was needed, and to push through when times are tough. My advice to those just starting is to remember that each path is not always straight. Have a plan B and allow yourself to change plans to give room for more opportunities. Always actively listen to people. We are not always right and what we think people need may not be what they are truly asking for. If one half doesn’t listen, or fails in communication, projects won’t succeed and the need is not met. Take time when you’re frustrated. A negative attitude will not move the project forward. Yes frustration is part of the journey. Step back and wonder what if? Just because something is always done one way does not mean that is the way it should be done. Or that there can’t be two (or more) ways that are equally right. An optimistic attitude will help you solve those problems effectively due to an open mind of positivity.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Being overwhelmed is part of the journey when you are serving others in need. There are many times I have been overwhelmed for a variety of reasons. It can be because a project is not coming together, or when you have run out of resources to help someone. When I struggle with a project and start that feeling I have to walk away for a bit. It may be a day or two but I need to come to the table with a clear optimistic view to be able to effectively problem solve.
One of the hardest things that overwhelms me the most is feeling like I have failed when I have not successfully helped a family. In those moments I go through all the thoughts of did I do this could I have done that? Those are normal questions to have. At the end of the day I have to remind myself that I can’t save everyone. As much as I want to it’s not possible. I can give aid, help where I can, and be there to listen. However it’s up to the individual to take what I can give and grow themselves. To better their life. I can’t be the constant crutch holding them back from bettering their situation. Reminding myself of this helps that overwhelmed feeling. Take that moment to step back, re-evaluate and come back with renewed positivity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Freshtable.org
• Facebook: Kimberly Turner-Talbot