Depression is the clinical term for a person who is going through an emotional and physical disorder characterized by a general loss of interest and chronic feelings of sadness. Although Robert Flournoy was going through this disease, it didn’t deter him from his yearning to help others in need.
26 years ago in Santa Ana, California, a city that’s known for gangs and drugs, Robert met a group of seven homeless people. Because his passion to help others was much greater than his depression, he felt their needs were more important than his own struggles. And so, Robert made it his mission to see that they were taken care of and that they knew they had a friend. At this moment, he had unknowingly begun his journey to fight hunger.
Since then, Robert has taken his compassionate ministry to Irvine Valley College, where he has worked for 30 years. With volunteers from his non-profit Loaves and Fishes x 10, in tandem with various campus departments such as the IVC Classified Senate, the Veterans Center, Campus Police, DSPS, EOPS, Facilities, and Student Services, Robert has helped alleviate hunger and improve students’ overall well-being.
As we are all aware, hunger can hinder students’ learning and academic success. Addressing student hunger is crucial for creating a positive and supportive learning environment. And so, in his many years on campus, Robert has partnered with the IVC Classified Senate to organize the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and Basket Distribution.
Along with Circle K, IVC Athletics, College Corps, Facilities and Maintenance, and individual IVC employees, he has helped coordinate and glean fresh produce for on-campus food programs. He has also helped collect hundreds of canned goods for student veterans, and he played a crucial role in a toy drive that provided toys for IVC students and their families.
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Award of Excellence Recipient
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Robert strongly believes that volunteering provides a remarkable opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others and that acts of compassion, no matter how small, have the power to uplift spirits and inspire hope. Robert has modeled this belief through years of action, and through dedicating his time and energy to serving others, he has helped foster a sense of interconnectedness, creating a more just and compassionate campus. His efforts have brought awareness to this pressing issue and, in turn, have inspired others to action. The countless students he has helped and the colleagues he has inspired will undoubtedly remember the positive impact his efforts have made.
Robert is the recipient of the Irvine Valley College Classified Staff Award of Excellence 2025, nominated by his peers and colleagues, and awarded by the IVC Foundation. He has also received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly for his fight against hunger on campus. His favorite part of working at IVC all these years has been participating in events that help students succeed, and he is grateful for the support of the college and district in his fight against hunger.
Beyond the IVC campus, Robert founded the above-mentioned Loaves and Fishes X10, a nonprofit that provides food to 3,000 people weekly and distributes up to 150,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, feeding nearly 800,000 people each year. His work has been widely recognized by both IVC and the Orange County community.
As Robert prepares to retire in September, he looks forward to dedicating more time to Impact OC One County at a Time, his latest initiative focused on building stronger communities and tackling food insecurity. He is also pursuing his passion for recording contemporary Christian and R&B Gospel music. Through his decades of service, Robert has made a lasting impact, improving countless lives through compassion and action.
Watch the video of Robert receiving his award:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
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