Dvora Tager and Bob Dietz are two of our AmeriCorps members serving at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona who have dedicated their time to feeding our community and their love for each other. Dvora and Bob have been married for the past 30+ years, and have been with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona for the past 3 years. Dvora and Bob began working on the line outside where, “we would have these cases that were 33 pounds and the cars drive through [the line] and you have to lift the bails [into the car]. It was energetic, and you really felt like you had a connection with the people. I do miss the one on one that you always had when you were serving into the car/shopping cart.”
Dvora and Bob found their way to Arizona Serve after receiving and email from Sarah Haber, informing them that they would be able to use their current service hours to qualify for an educational award at the end of their term. The Seagal Education Award is a post-service benefit earned by individuals who complete an approved term of national service in AmeriCorps programs.
According to Dvora, “the thing that was intriguing when the email first came was that you didn’t have to use the educational stipend yourself, you could give it to your grandchildren.” The Serve America Act allows the transfer of education awards earned by a member who successfully completes a term of service in AmeriCorps State and National programs, under specific conditions. To transfer your award, you must be at least 55 years old at the start of service and the award must go to your child, stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or foster child.
With plans to give their educational stipends they earn to help fund college for their grandchildren, Evelyn (8) and Calvin (5), Bob made it clear with the work that he is doing that it is partially motivated by this award, “I want to stay at the same level of adoration that my wife has with our grandchildren.”
Dvora and Bob have even involved their grandchildren in the work that they do at the Food Bank, having brought them with them one morning. When asked about it Dvora explained, “They really enjoyed that. They are very sweet kids.” This sweetness can be seen echoed in Dvora and Bob themselves. When asked why they serve they elaborated, “helping people and seeing for yourself is so different from just giving money. Being there and feeling the appreciation, and feeling how good it is to give, it feels good to be there, it feels good to work hard.”
When Dvora and Bob aren’t at the Community Foodbank of Southern Arizona, or with their grandchildren, you can find the two of them hiking around Tucson, or biking the 55 mile loop and cooling off with a Dairy Queen ice cream afterwards!
Interested in working with Dvora and Bob? Get involved with the local Community Foodbank of Southern Arizona today! Click here to volunteer!