By Jamie Lasorsa. Reporter
When life-long Sterling resident Mary Richard donated 100% of her profits from her Tupperware sales to Operation: Food is Love this past July, she didn’t set out for recognition, accolades, or even “thank yous,” she just did what she thought was right.
Driving by the First Church in Sterling each Monday evening and seeing the line of cars waiting to, with no questions asked, receive a helping hand, inspired Richard to continue doing what she has done for years …lend out her own hand.
Richard, like many others during the peak of the Covid pandemic, felt isolated and disconnected from family, friends, and her community. Once restrictions began to lift, she was invited to be a guest at a Tupperware party held by a friend. She soon found herself caught up in the nostalgia and ideology of what the products themselves represented to her; family, sustainability, and fond memories of wholesome family values. She then decided to host her own party and with its overwhelming success, decided to become a consultant herself.
Richard has really enjoyed the aspect of her new business that allows her to reconnect with people. She feels empowered by her business and what it allows her to do for her customers and partygoers. She describes Tupperware as an iconic brand that changes with the needs of the people over time, but always stays relevant to family.
It’s with this family connection in mind that Richard, one of nine children and currently raising her own family of eight, decided she needed to use her good fortune to give back to her Sterling community. She was taught that you always share what you have, you always give something extra of yourself and always pay it forward.
“It spoke to me”, Richard said of the Food is Love program facilitated by Pastor Robin and the other members of the First Church in Sterling. She feels the deepest respect for the volunteers and those she witnessed out in the rain, sleet, and snow, selflessly giving of themselves to help others in need.
“I love my town” she said, and with that she set out to help raise funds to be donated to the program she feels so fondly of. During the month of July, Richard donated 100% of the proceeds from her Tupperware sales to the Food is Love program. She said it was an easy decision to give back and for her, it’s one of the best feelings ever. “We are all in this together, be part of the solution”.
While Richard wishes she could have donated even more to the program, she felt the sincere appreciation of the congregation when she dropped off the donation check. Her goal is to continue utilizing her passion of connecting with people, spreading love, and good vibes to bring service to those in need. She has other organizations in mind that she hopes to help in the future, and plans to hold true to the old adage, “always do right, even when nobody’s looking.”
COURTESY: Mary Richard