L.O.G.I.C. Student Spotlight: Leroy Sims

December 18, 2023

Leroy Sims and his L.O.G.I.C. (Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control) classmates graduate from the 14-week training program on Thursday!

Since October, Leroy and his classmates have been training in the Food Bank’s Newark warehouse learning the ins and outs of the operations/logistics field. They learn warehouse machinery and have an opportunity to earn four certifications including Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician credentials from the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, OSHA-10 General Industry Certificate and Forklift Certification.

The program was exactly what Leroy needed after moving to Delaware from New York. While living in New York, he worked for a company where he traveled out of state for construction jobs. He described it as a “great company to work for,” but when the company was bought out, it later filed for bankruptcy, and he lost his job.

Moving helped him find new opportunities and financial stability.

“Everything was rough in New York, economically, and I heard about Delaware,” he said. “I came out here and had to go into a shelter. From the shelter, I was able to get a job. I moved out and into an apartment, and I never looked back.”

Leroy has been working to find financial stability through the help of a Stand By Me financial coach. Through his coach, he learned about the L.O.G.I.C. training program at the Food Bank.

At 62, Leroy says he is at the end of his career and hopes to retire at 65 and find part-time employment.

Thanks to L.O.G.I.C., he already has a job lined up at Goodwill Recycling.

Leroy says the training program has been invaluable for his growth and development.

“[The program] offers you so much,” he said. “This place has so much of a network that it’s unbelievable.”

He has enjoyed learning to drive the forklift. “To be honest with you, I was a little nervous,” he admitted. “You know, I’m a city boy. So when I tell people I never learned how to drive, they say ‘You’ve got to be kidding’.”

Thanks to Operations Instructor Lloyd Badson’s great instruction, Leroy picked up driving the forklift quickly and says “Once I got into it, man, it came so easy.”

The next L.O.G.I.C. training class in Newark and Milford starts in January, and Leroy encourages anybody looking for a change to apply.

His advice, “Give it all they’ve got.  And I will guarantee you, you will reap the benefits. I am reaping the benefits. The benefits are so amazing. I was a little nervous, but I guess it’s expected… even getting on a computer. I was not computer savvy, but now I’m getting the hang of it and I’m learning, and this is awesome experience and I am thankful for the opportunity.”

To learn more about the L.O.G.I.C. program at the Food Bank of Delaware, click here.

The next class in Newark starts on January 16, and the first-ever class in the new Milford facility starts on January 25.