\u201cJesus gave us both the opportunity to serve the Kingdom of Heaven and the blessing to work hand-in-hand with the volunteers and clients for so many years,\u201d Karen Valiente and Victor Valiente said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Apopka resident Geri Garnet Unrue said she met the Valientes when she volunteered with the Apopka Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association\u00a0(ACPAAA)\u00a0during the\u00a02012\u00a0holiday season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kept the lines orderly, helped carry out bags of food to cars,\u00a0and\u00a0restocked some food bags,\u201d Unrue said. \u201cFor some reason, I became the \u2018official door person.\u2019 I let one client in at a time, thus preventing crowds or backups inside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a few holidays, Unrue\u2019s friend spoke to the Valientes about Unrue\u2019s financial difficulties, since Unrue was living on\u00a0Social\u00a0Security.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cImmediately Karen took me aside\u00a0and\u00a0told me that I qualified to be a client of L&F,\u201d Unrue said. \u201cBut I would have to stop volunteering, as there is a law preventing people receiving certain\u00a0assistance\u00a0from also volunteering with the organization helping them. This made me sad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unrue said her transition from volunteer to client allowed her to see just how \u201ccaring and loving\u201d the Valientes were to the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never seen Karen without a smile on her face and\u00a0a\u00a0friendly \u2018hello,\u2019\u201d Unrue said. \u201cVictor can be a \u2018character,\u2019 making a joke or saying something funny, and for years, he has \u2018picked on me\u2019 every time I see him.\u00a0He puts a smile on my face.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Unrue, the Valientes\u2019 example inspires the other volunteers at Loaves & Fishes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe volunteers who help at Loaves & Fishes seem to \u2018catch\u2019 that same caring,\u00a0giving\u00a0and loving spirit from Karen and Victor,\u201d Unrue said. \u201cNo matter who you are, the volunteers greet you with warmth and greet you with a big friendly smile.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the Valientes\u2019 retirement, Reeves will serve as the ministry\u2019s director of overall operations, Jose Santos as warehouse director, and Jess Maynard as an assistant to both Reeves and Santos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are filled with gratitude for the past and full of faith and excitement for the future,\u201d Reeves said.<\/p>\n
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Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College’s journalism program in Washington, D.C. In her spare time, Sarah loves watching rom-coms, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.<\/p>\n