A selfless community treasure

Business has always been too good at God’s Storehouse. The latest numbers show Danville has the highest rate of childhood poverty in Virginia.

But that wasn’t a surprise to those who have been on the front lines of this community’s long struggle with poverty.

The Dan River Region’s unemployment rate has never been as low — or lower — than the state’s rate. Our economic problems didn’t sprout overnight — and they won’t be fixed anytime soon.

Some look at those problems and think about how changes in the structure of modern families, government benefits and other wide-angle, long-term adjustments could make a difference not only in this community, but across the country.

Others just roll up their sleeves and work to feed hungry people.

For the past 17 years, Becky Wales has labored to do just that. As the executive director of God’s Storehouse, Wales has toiled in the War on Poverty’s toughest trenches, steering the organization through several recessions that brought more people to its front door just as donations dried up.

"I thought long and hard about this, and talked with my family," Wales said. "I’ll miss everyone so much — the clients, the volunteers, the board of director; they’ve been such friends and are family to me."

People like Becky Wales are the glue that holds a community together. Their work behind the scenes helps people when they need it the most.

Groups like God’s Storehouse — which collects, stores and distributes food through the support of member churches and private contributors — fill in the social safety net’s missing pieces.

Leaders like Wales make God’s Storehouse work.

"A new director can bring in new enthusiasm and new ideas," Wales said. "God’s Storehouse has such a bright future. With the new building and new partnerships we’ve built, it’s a good time for someone to come in and take advantage of the groundwork already done to grow and expand."

That new building, the former Danville Chrysler building at 750 Memorial Drive, offers 5,000 more square feet than the old location, along with more parking, a more efficient layout and room for new programs.

Wales laid the groundwork for this vital agency to continue to serve the needy for years to come. She can walk away from her job confident that her hard work made God’s Storehouse a much better organization. Not many people can say that, but then again, not many people are as hard-working, talented and selfless as Becky Wales.