Youth Annabelle Sauer 4Saints

Annabelle Sauer is only 19 years old, yet this University of Notre Dame sophomore is one of 4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry's most tenured and inspiring volunteers.

Sauer first got involved in the seventh grade while trying to settle on a Girl Scout Silver Award project. As luck would have it for Annabelle and for 4Saints, her troop leader worked for the Episcopal Church in North Texas (now the Episcopal Diocese of Texas). The leader knew that St. Luke's-in-the-Meadow was working to establish a food pantry.

As a teen, Sauer attended meetings and became a non-voting member of the 4Saints Board of Directors. She volunteered regularly throughout middle and high school and has worked to help the pantry secure grants. Even now, Sauer volunteers at the pantry when home on college breaks.

“It’s very important to me, seeing how it has grown so much,” Sauer said. “I want to be part of that when I’m able.”

Her influence is seen and felt when she’s away at school. She was involved in the creation of the 4Saints logo that adorns pantry signage. She’s even gotten her family members in on the act.

Her mother Teresa coordinates volunteers for Friday distributions. Younger sister Penelope recently organized a large delivery of canned goods for 4Saints. Teresa, Penelope, and her father Joel have participated in distribution days at the pantry.

Sauer’s work at 4Saints has impacted her educational interests and career ambitions. Her studies are concentrated in economics and global affairs and her future plans are to conduct research involving socioeconomic inequality and effective policy solutions.

In other words, Sauer has her mind set on continuing to make a difference.