TOBYHANNA, Pa. — With every food box given out to a family at Distribution Day, the volunteers at Feeding Families Ministry near Tobyhanna are keeping their founder's memory alive.
Diane Tayburn had a passion for being there when people needed her.
"She was always there to help anybody who was in need. Very kind woman. You know it's tough there. Those shoes are very hard to fill. She's always out there helping people," said Ken Tayburn, Diane's husband and the CEO of the pantry.
Even up until the last minute.
Six months ago, Diane died from complications after suffering a stroke a few months prior.
Her husband, Ken, says her memory goes far beyond the pantry walls.
She helped thousands of families in the Poconos since starting the pantry more than a decade ago.
After her death, pantry members have been working hard to keep her legacy in the community growing.
"We are expanding. We just recently, in the past couple of months, got ourselves a nice-sized refrigerator. Just the other day, we got a big ole freezer, and we hope to fill that up and serve the community a lot better than we have been," said Tayburn.
As the pantry gets ready for its Thanksgiving distribution, they're asking for your help, not just to be able to feed those in the community but to continue Diane's legacy and mission, making sure no one goes hungry.
"We need everybody's help, yeah. We have a website and wish list on Amazon that people can go on. Feeding Families Ministry and look it up and hopefully donate things we need," said Kenneth Jones, The Executive Director of the Pantry.
For many years Diane not only filled the pantry shelves but the hearts of those she served and worked alongside.
"I'm still a little bit in awe. I am having a hard time accepting a few things, but as every day goes by, it's getting a little better," Tayburn said.
As long as families continue to need help in the county, volunteers will be here, rain or shine, to feed them, all in memory of Diane.
If you would like to donate to Feeding Families Ministry's Amazon Wishlist, click HERE.