Volunteer of the Year 2002

Mr. Roosevelt Q. Kelly

As a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, Mr. Kelly saw the ravages of poverty and hunger first hand. Those images made a deep impression upon him. He decided that he would help in whatever way he could to alleviate the pain and suffering from hunger.

For that reason, a number of years ago, Mr. Kelly approached many grocers and food distributors and asked permission to pick up the various food items that were perfectly good in quality but were considered “Day Old” and would no longer be sold in their stores. He received a positive response from a few of them and thus began his daily trek to pick up items from the stores and deliver them to various locations within the community.

A visit to Mr. Kelly’s car is somewhat akin to what one might call a traveling bakery. His “offerings” often include a delicious assortment of rolls, coffee cakes, bagels ,garlic bread, baguettes, wheat and white bread, various nut and grain breads, pies, various sizes and flavors of cakes and much more !

Although EOYDC provides many services to the youth and adults of the East Oakland community, this particular service is provided solely because of the voluntary commitment and dedication of Mr. Roosevelt Q. Kelly, who made a personal vow 50+ years ago that he would do everything  in power to make sure the people in his community would not go hungry.

At the age 82, Mr. Kelly faithfully, on a daily basis, personally delivers a variety of breadstuffs not only to EOYDC but to other locations as well.  He says his motto is and shall always be,