Israel Quintanilla

Israel came to Glasgow from El Salvador with his wife and three sons in July 2019. Before coming to Scotland, he worked as an IT Technical Support manager back in El Salvador. He first learned about GCP from a leaflet that he saw at Serco, who at the time were the housing provider for people seeking asylum. He was glad to have found GCP. The first time he came to the office he received help with information on housing and food. Soon after first asking for help he was introduced to Philippa, who run the Food for All group, which pre-pandemic existed as a weekly foodbank. Israel was glad to join the group as a committed and reliable volunteer. In the pandemic the group started weekly online meetings. Quickly they became a strong, vocal group being noticed by the Scottish Government and Nourish Scotland. From the beginning Israel has been a core member of the Food for All group. He brings a great sense of humour, insight and passion to the group. He advocates for others in the asylum process. During a consultation project with the Scottish Government about ending the need for food banks he made sure the government representatives understand the reality of food insecurities for people in the asylum process. Further using his experience and IT knowledge he also became one of GCP’s digital champions at the beginning of the year. Israel is keen to give back after he received help from GCP and the government in the UK. This is why he enjoys volunteering as well as the connection it brings to other people who are in a similar situation as him.