“The first priority is repaying it,” I said.

“Then we’ll discuss food support.

Those must be separate accounts.”

A retired accountant named Marvin offered to keep a ledger.

A school librarian named Sylvia volunteered to coordinate homework help.

Denise explained the store’s food-donation procedures, including how quickly refrigerated items needed to reach the pantry.

Then someone asked whether we should post Clarence’s photograph on the fundraising page.

“No,” Clarence answered before I could.