Meet Sonia Tovar (she/her), a committed and energetic member of the Facilities team at the Central Texas Food Bank. With almost two years of experience at the Food Bank as a Custodian, Sonia's hard work has been instrumental in ensuring the Food Bank's warehouse and facilities run smoothly. Her colleagues appreciate her ability to get along with everyone and her diverse skillset makes her a valuable jack-of-all-trades.
Raised in a family that values hard work, Sonia's father instilled in her the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks. After a fire destroyed her family home, she learned first-hand the importance of teamwork as she and her family worked together to rebuild. Today, Sonia passes on the value she was taught to her own children.
Sonia's diverse career background includes roles in the food industry, home care and hospitality, where she consistently strove for excellence. During her formative years, Sonia gained valuable hands-on experience that she still uses today, working on tractors, tending to the family ranch and participating in building projects with her father's construction company.
But it was her passion for detail cleaning that led Sonia to the Central Texas Food Bank, where she quickly earned a full-time position after starting as a temporary employee. Sonia is always willing to tackle new challenges, such as operating scissor lifts and forklifts, despite her fear of heights,. She’s also learned a variety of other skills on the job to help her excel in her role, such as painting, patching walls and plumbing.
Sonia's passion for her work is evident. Her meticulous approach ensures every shelf in the warehouse refrigerator and freezer is maintained to the highest standard, a complex and essential task for food safety. She values the camaraderie of her colleagues and looks forward to enhancing the Food Bank's premises and fostering a collective sense of responsibility for cleanliness.
Sonia Tovar is the Food Bank's July 2023 Team Member of the Month. She enjoys spending time with her three children, Maya, Kristopher and Anahi, and her favorite meal is a tasty turkey and cranberry sandwich from a local Austin eatery.
