Galena, widely recognized by her title as “the Healthy Cooking Lady”, shares a contagious laughter as she acknowledges the man’s comment about her role in their community of Tillamook. Known for her drive to enrich lives through wholesome cooking, Galena has touched many hearts with her sincerity.
She wears multiple hats in her community, with her voyage beginning when she worked as a fitness instructor at a local YMCA. After several years of empowering others through exercise, she took up roles in the National Diabetes Prevention program and the Diabetes Self-Management program. The events of the Coronavirus outbreak brought more changes in her itinerary.
Many individuals found themselves in solitude due to the unprecedented lockdown measures, sparking Galena and her team to start a care line. Placing herself at the forefront, the calls for help came straight to her day and night. She found herself providing essential support to communities across Tillamook, whether it was paying their bills, delivering essential supplies, or finding accommodation for those without a home.
The echoing theme of poverty and hunger, especially in rural locations, has encapsulated the municipality. Galena found it challenging to distribute aid in such trying circumstances, but the gratitude she received from the beneficiaries was immeasurable. Through her actions, she was able to uplift the spirits of many during the devastating pandemic.
Even as normalcy starts to creep back in, the communities in Tillamook continue to grapple with problems such as limited and restricted food access. Galena took steps to address these issues by encouraging informative engagements with her cooking classes. She discusses the issues surrounding food storage and preparation, resource availability, and healthy meal cooking using staple ingredients received from the food banks, thus helping her participants feel more independent and empowered.
She emphasizes that food – the basis of our well-being – should be devoid of stigma. Often, we simplify the narrative of food into ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ but we must understand how different types of food interact with our bodies differently. Acknowledging this, Galena believes that understanding and respecting these divergences is crucial for making the right food choices.
In Tillamook, Galena’s work highlights the significance of hunger relief programs and the invaluableness of an individual’s experience with hunger. Given the complexities of individuals’ dietary needs, lifestyles, health, and access to transportation, food availability and the type of food one can access can vary drastically. Galena affirms that everyone must maintain their autonomy when deciding what to feed their families.
Food is a human right. Maintaining that every individual should have unrestricted, dignified, nourishing, and culturally relevant food is important. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously food stamps, has been a crucial resource in this respect, placing resources directly into the hands of those who need it the most.
Recognizing shared humanity and dignity in each person is of paramount importance. In discussions about social problems, we must remember the collective struggle for food security and work together to elevate each other. Galena’s passion for service and desire to alleviate distress, even if it may seem marginal, has made life a little better for many in her community.
The world tends to be quick in passing judgments. However, instead of pointing fingers or recording insignificance with our cameras, let’s actively help those in need. Many of us find ourselves needing support at some point in our lives. Galena experienced this firsthand but was fortunate to have individuals show her unanticipated support, just when she needed it.
Mirroring these acts of generosity, Galena is now more determined than ever to pay it forward and continue serving her community. Her story serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to altruistic work, inspiring many of us to follow suit.
