BNSF employee develops a taste for volunteering to help the community
By EUNICE ARCHILA
Staff Writer
From a childhood shaped by her sister's battle with cancer to a life committed to service, Felicia Morgan’s journey exemplifies the power of compassion and resilience.
“When I was seven, my sister was born with neuroblastoma. By the time she turned five, she was approaching remission,” remembered Morgan, a track design manager at BNSF. “During that time, the American Cancer Society provided my family with immense support.”
The Dream Come True organization granted her sister a Wish Trip.
“It’s similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Morgan explained. “My sister’s wish was to go to Disney World to meet Minnie Mouse. While there, we stayed at Give Kids the World Village, where I met the founder, Henri Landwirth. That changed my life.”
Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor, endured years of uncertainty from age 13 to 18, unsure if he would survive his time in the Auschwitz concentration camp. After the war, he came to America and founded Give Kids the World, which focuses on helping children facing life-threatening illnesses.
“Henri believed the Nazis had stolen his youth, and he was determined not to let cancer steal children’s youth,” Morgan said. “No matter what life throws at you, you have to keep a tender heart. For me, that tenderness has always been toward children, especially those under five. I just love them.”
Witnessing her younger sister endure needles and surgeries at such a young age left a lasting impression on Morgan that inspired her to volunteer. Growing up surrounded by children battling cancer, she saw resilience firsthand. Meeting Landwirth solidified her belief that she could make a difference in their lives.
Morgan also became a host mom with CETUSA, an organization that facilitates cultural exchange programs. Since 2019, Morgan has hosted nine teenagers and helped place 22 others with host families by inspiring those around her to get involved.
“Those kids come here, and they need an advocate—someone to love them,” Morgan shared. “I always thought I’d be a parent of more than one, and now I have 10 ‘bonus children’ around the world who stay in touch with me. They’re my children in every sense.”
This past Christmas, Morgan received gifts and postcards from her former exchange students in Germany, Thailand and Denmark – evidence of the lasting connections she’s made.
Morgan moved to Texas in September 2022, after working with BNSF for 10 years in Missouri. Adjusting to life in a new state came with its challenges.
“I struggled to find where I fit in Fort Worth,” she said.
That changed when she discovered Taste Community Restaurant, a local nonprofit restaurant that operates on a pay-what-you-can model to fight food insecurity. This non-profit restaurant focuses on healthy, quality meals made from fresh ingredients. They even have their own community garden. Their menu has no prices, as it’s a give-and-take concept. People can pay what they can afford, pay what they typically would, or pay a little extra so others can enjoy the restaurant too.
They continue to give back to the community by providing on-the-job training. Taste Project’s Culinary Job Training Programs are designed to provide the training needed to help locals earn a living wage. The program is tuition-free and is American Culinary Federation-certified.
Morgan was invited to a mystery-solving event at Taste on her birthday. There, Julie Williams, a board member, shared more about Taste’s mission, which resonated deeply with Morgan.
“The more I learned about Taste’s mission and spent time with other volunteers, the more I wanted to get involved,” Morgan said.
Morgan completed her volunteer training and volunteers at Taste frequently. She quickly became part of the community, getting to know regulars, learning their stories, and realizing she wasn’t just serving breakfast – she was building connections.
Morgan’s enthusiasm for service inspired her BNSF colleagues. She organized a volunteer day at Taste, where her coworkers helped with food preparation, line cooking, and serving. They invited friends, partner engineering firms and colleagues to dine at the restaurant, furthering the reach of Taste’s mission.
For Morgan, service is not just an act but a core value. “If it’s not worth putting your heart into, why are you even doing it?” she said.
If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to Taste in Fort Worth, Texas, or another One World Everybody Eats pay-what-you-can café, visit their website.
