by Nick Anchondo

As my time at Uncommon Good comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what this place has meant to me. What was supposed to be just a job turned into something more.

When I first saw the job posting, I was skeptical. Farm work in Claremont? That seemed too good to be true. And, well, I quickly learned that my role running the pantry didn’t actually involve much farming. But what I did find was something I never expected: a purpose. Something bigger than myself. I’ve worked directly with families in need, built relationships that will stay with me long after I leave, and witnessed how something as simple as food can ease the burdens people carry in these trying times.

Uncommon Good isn’t just a workplace. It’s a lifeline for so many people, and I’ve been lucky enough to become a part of it. I’ve worked with refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Syria trying to rebuild their lives in a place they never expected to be; families in the C2C program pushing through every obstacle to create better futures for their kids; people recovering from cancer or living with chronic illness, finding relief in food that nourishes them; and even those who just want fresh, organic produce, knowing that what they eat should be something they can trust.

The people who come through our doors all have different stories, but at the end of the day, they’re all looking for the same thing: something to help them get by.

The Whole Earth Building, tucked away in a quiet corner on such a busy street, is easy to miss whether you’re looking for it or not. But when you do find it, you’ll see something special. It’s a place where nature and community meet, a true slice of suburban paradise. I’ve always maintained that it’s the greatest office space anyone could ask for.

To everyone I’ve worked with, thank you. The long hours, the dedication, and the effort you put in every day don’t just keep this place running, they change lives. There are some people out there who might not believe in the kind of work Uncommon Good does, who would rather see a place like this fail. But every day, you prove them wrong.

And then there’s Uncommon Good founder Nancy Mintie. Without her, none of this would exist. She didn’t just start an organization, she built something that lasts, something that gives people a fighting chance. I know for a fact that neither I nor the many, many families she’s helped would be on the path we are today without her.

This May, my wife and I are heading off to Texas to start a farm of our own, where we hope to continue the work I’ve come to love: feeding people, supporting communities, and proving that kindness is never wasted.

Uncommon Good has given me more than a job. It’s given me a mission. And for that, I will always be grateful.

Nick Anchondo is an urban farm and pantry assistant at Uncommon Good, and is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food access.