In a world where it’s easy to move on to the next opportunity, staying says something. For nearly 16 years, Jesse Reyes has stayed at Children’s Hunger Fund—not because it was always easy, but because he found something he hadn’t found elsewhere. As CHF marks 35 years of ministry, his story offers a glimpse into the kind of faithfulness that builds something lasting.
A Life That Didn’t Feel Settled
Like many teenagers, Jesse spent his teen years feeling like he didn’t quite fit in. He was the youngest of four siblings, and his older sister invited him to church to help him connect with others his age. What ended up happening was far greater. Jesse recognized his need for the Lord and gave his life to Christ at the age of fifteen.
He began attending church regularly and even got his first job as a facilities assistant at the church. In the years that followed, he moved from one job to the next, still searching for where he was meant to settle. “If I had a job and it didn’t suit my needs or give me what I was looking for, it was pretty easy to quit and look for something else,” he shared.
That pattern began to shift in early 2010.
The Start of Something New
Around that time, Jesse attended a large church event in San Antonio where everyone was encouraged to serve their community. Children’s Hunger Fund was present at the event, and he picked up an empty Food Pak and a list of food items to fill it. There, he also learned about volunteer opportunities with the organization. This led to several months of faithful volunteering, during which he came to know the mission and values of the organization he would one day join as staff.
More Than a Workplace
In his first week on the job, Jesse experienced something he hadn’t encountered in a workplace before. His mother had a heart attack, and he was nervous about asking for time off so soon after starting. Instead, his supervisor called him into his office and told him to take all the time he needed—making it clear that family was important to the organization.
That moment wasn’t an exception. Over the years, Jesse saw that same care extended again and again—through teammates stepping in to help, showing up for one another in both difficult seasons and meaningful milestones—even gathering to celebrate when he finalized the adoption of his children.
From Warehouse Floors to Leadership
In that environment, he began to grow into new roles. Over the past 16 years, Jesse’s role has changed significantly. In the early years, he spent much more time in the warehouse—moving, delivering, picking up, and driving product. His work was much more hands-on. “There were a lot of days where I would get dirty,” he shared. With the addition of several team members, there’s a lot more depth to the Operations team in San Antonio.
Today, Jesse serves as Operations Director and spends much of his day in the office. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t willing to roll up his sleeves and step in wherever needed.
Operations may happen behind the scenes, but it plays a critical role in the mission. From preparing for distributions to managing the logistics that make ministry possible, the team ensures everything is in place so the rest of the work can happen—quietly supporting the work so others can step in and serve. It’s work that often goes unseen, but without it, the work of reaching families wouldn’t move forward.
When the Mission Becomes Real
After five years on staff, Jesse traveled to Honduras to see the ministry firsthand. What made the experience especially meaningful was seeing the work come full circle. His team had purchased food from a grocer in San Antonio and packed the container that was sent to Honduras—and now he was able to stand alongside church partners as that same food was placed into the hands of families in the mountains of Honduras. It was a rare opportunity to see the direct impact of work that is often carried out behind the scenes.
“Those are memories I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” Jesse shared.
The Person Behind the Role
But the way Jesse connects with people isn’t limited to moments like that.
“Food’s an important thing to me,” Jesse shared. “I love to eat good food, but I also love the process of cooking.” Over the years, that interest has grown into something more. Living in Texas, where craft barbecue is part of the culture, Jesse has spent over a decade refining his approach. This includes purchasing a food truck that allows him to take his passion on the road.
“Making barbecue is definitely a labor of love. It’s a 14-16-hour process, at minimum,” he shared. “There’s just something about the process that I love and watching people enjoy what I create.”
Whether he’s cooking for friends, co-workers, or church gatherings, it’s one more way he brings people together.
And while that’s what many people come to expect from him, there are still a few surprises—like his ability to solve a Rubik’s Cube in about two minutes.
Why He Never Left
For Jesse, staying at Children’s Hunger Fund wasn’t a single decision; it was something that was reinforced over the years.
While food meets an immediate need, he understands that lasting change comes through the hope of the gospel, which is central to the mission of Children’s Hunger Fund. It’s this focus that sets his work apart and gives it meaning.
Over the years, Jesse has seen the work he’s part of grow and expand, something he hadn’t experienced earlier in his career.
His role has evolved, and no two days look exactly the same—a balance he has come to appreciate. That kind of consistency is what builds something lasting.
The Kind of Faithfulness That Builds 35 Years
Organizations don’t last 35 years by accident. This kind of longevity is built over time not by programs or growth metrics, but by people who stay, adapt, and remain committed. Jesse is one example, and he’s not the only one. For him, this is so much more than a job. The work matters because he knows what’s at its center—pointing people to the hope of the gospel.
This is the kind of steady faithfulness that continues to carry the mission forward.
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