If you've gotten the munchies sometime this semester between 9:00pm-12:00am and ventured out to the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC) for Late Night, then you've probably met Robin Gaines. You might have also met some of her relatives. She has three aunts, a cousin, and a sister who work at the FFC with her. Gaines grew up in Baltimore and the FFC. She remembers hanging around the FFC as a child.
"Playing in Hopkins field, dodge ball, volleyball," Gaines said.
Gaines always knew she wanted to work at the FFC, having grown-up there. She joined right out of high school and has been working there for fourteen years. She remembers how the FFC used to be, and she has been there for the many company changes.
When asked what her favorite part of her job was her answer was instant:
"Students."
Gaines talked about how friendly all of the students are, how diverse and respectful they all are. She pointed out that sometimes if she comes in and may not be in the best spirits the students can lift her mood up by always saying hi and having a pleasant attitude.
Talking to Gaines I realized that we should really appreciate the FFC workers. When Hurricane Irene hit, we were worried about walking around the corner or a block to reach the FFC. The employees had to drive through the hurricane to come into work.
Three years ago, when the snow storm hit, Gaines, who was pregnant at the time, had to walk through feet of snow just to get out of her street because her car was snowed in. No matter what the weather, hurricanes, flooding or snow storms, the workers come in.
As a side note: last year, Gaines became the proud mother of a baby girl.
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