Henderson store manager recognized for giving back to seniors

Mar. 31—HENDERSON

When large corporations are involved in community service or providing donations, the beneficiaries aren't always able to associate faces with the name of the company that's lending a hand.

That's one reason why Gang Free Inc. founder and Henderson Councilwoman Melissa Elliott sought on Thursday to shine a spotlight on Waverly Taylor, the store manager of Henderson's Raleigh Road Food Lion. Taylor, a Warrenton native that has worked with local Food Lion grocery stores for more than two decades, thought he would just be delivering grocery bags at the Vance County Senior Center.

Instead, Elliott honored Taylor, who took the opportunity to thank the seniors that filled a multipurpose room at 500 N. Beckford Drive.

"Mr. Taylor has been nothing but a blessing," Elliott said, "not just to Gang Free, but to every organization in this city."

When Gang Free provides food or supplies to locals, the goods most often come from either Food Lion or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

No doubt, Elliott's face has become a familiar one to Taylor, who has spent time working in each of Henderson's four Food Lion stores over the last 16 years.

"I want ya'll to know that when I go in his store, he runs from me," Elliott said, drawing a laugh from the seniors who know her tendencies, "because he's like, 'What does Melissa want?' "

Elliott wanted the seniors to get to know Taylor, but also for him to be able to see firsthand the people he and Food Lion have been helping.

Taylor told the seniors he wished could do even more.

"It's not how much you do," Taylor said. "It's why you do it. For me, I just think when I look at the seniors, hopefully one day I'm going to be a senior and I think about my parents and grandparents and all the struggles as seniors they went through. Anything we can do to make it easier for you, that is what I'm here for."

"I just think the seniors have been so undervalued and anything we can do to help them should be greatly appreciated," Taylor said shortly before the presentation. "I think the seniors in Vance County are the ones who suffer and have to make choices between getting medicine or getting something to eat — and the prices are steadily increasing..."

Taylor closed his spontaneous remarks by reminding the seniors that Food Lion needs them as much as they need it.

Taylor, Elliott and other Gang Free volunteers passed around to the seniors food and supplies inside of reusable, green Food Lion bags that read, "Lettuce give you a hand."

Echoing Taylor's words, Elliott conveyed to the seniors that they deserve to be celebrated for the support they have shown their community over their lifetimes.

"Now," Elliott said, "it's time for us to give back to you all."