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Age won't stop 80-year-old volunteer from serving the hungry

Posted at 10:13 AM, Mar 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-16 12:13:21-04

DENVER — For a man who doesn't ask for much, Earl Banks certainly gives a lot.

"I like to help people," Banks said.

Earl, or Mr. Earl as he's known around Volunteers of America, is the heart of the organization's City Harvest and mission programs.

"The people that come here are really here at sort of duress and he is here sort of to help them gentle kind way with dignity," said Cathy Law, Senior Corp & Volunteers of America Project Manager.

Each morning, the 80-year-old starts his day at the mission feeding the homeless. He ends it at City Harvest Food Banks where he and longtime pal, Carlos, load food onto trucks for food banks across the city.

"They are the City Harvest dream team and thousands and thousands of pounds of food go to our food banks and the food banks distribute that food and without them it just wouldn't get done," Law said.

It's Mr. Earl's work filling food baskets and giving out toys during the holidays that feeds his soul.

"I like dealing with kids, I love to help them," Mr. Earl said.

Mr. Earl is a volunteer who is both humble and selfless and set on helping as many people as possible.

"That's the way Colorado is, Colorado's friendly, we take care of each other here in Colorado, that's what we like doing," Mr. Earl said.

Molly Hendrickson anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30-7 a.m. She also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on Denver7. Follow Molly on Facebook here and Twitter here. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.