You can often find the maintenance worker at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana with a broom in hand and a smile on his face. He may not have the most glamorous job, but Jerry Griffin is happy.

“I love it, it's very rewarding,” Griffin said about his job.

Rewarding, he said, because he is part of an organization helping others.

“The food pantry does a great job feeding so many people, so I love this job,” Griffin said.

Before Griffin was hired, he volunteered at the food bank.

“He was just very kind and very helpful, kept busy his whole time he was here,” said Lisa Jaworski, CEO.

Griffin was earning volunteer hours needed for a Center for the Homeless job training program. He chose the food bank because he knew hunger first hand.

“To me, there's nothing worse than hunger. You can't even function knowing that your stomach is empty and aching for food,” he said.

Griffin said he ended up homeless after a destructive life of drugs and alcohol.

“I poured out my heart to God: ‘Please you didn't create me like this, I don't want to go out like this. There has to be a purpose for life.’”

Griffin believes his purpose is helping others. So when he completed his required volunteer hours, and still did not have a job, he came back to volunteer at the food bank.

“And low and behold a little while later I got hired in. Now I'm a taxpayer. I'm a productive member of society,” Griffin said proudly.

He continues to give back, by donating money to local organizations and motivating others to do good for their community.

“I would encourage anyone that's unemployed, that doesn't have anything to do to come down and volunteer, because they'll find out it's so rewarding. It's just really wonderful,” Griffin said.

“He wants to be able to encourage others who are struggling, going through difficult times. He really wants to show other people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Jaworksi said.

Griffon has been sober for four years now. He lives in transitional housing, and hopes to soon have a place of his own.

On Thursday, July 22, WSBT invites you to give back to the community, by donating at our Neighbors in Need drive-in from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the WSBT studios. You can drop off food items to support the Food Bank or money for local agencies to help kids get ready for school.