Not many things in this world are quite as loved as food. It makes us happy, it builds community, it sustains our bodies, and it’s a rich part of our experiences and cultures. But sometimes you just don’t want to be the one preparing it. In high times and low, fast food is there for you. No, more specifically, employees at fast food restaurants are there for you.

As one of those employees, I’m here to tell you that this work can be grueling. By the time I arrive at home, my feet are in pain and my shirt is sticky with whichever beverage my clumsy hands spilled that day. At work, to fulfill our promise of speedy service, we race the clock on our screens and still face angry customers on a daily basis.

As is the case in many service-oriented jobs, we face countless people who feel entitled to treat us with less dignity that we deserve. It’s not the highest-paying job in the world. To top this off, we get an unfair reputation from the mainstream media and societal narratives.

But I could not be prouder of the important role we play. When you’re facing difficulties with friends, we’re there with your favorite snack to cheer you up. When you’re tired and just starting the first leg of a long trip, we’re brewing some coffee to get you moving. When you need to get your mind off of work, we chat with you while handing you the meal you’ll need to sustain yourself for the rest of the workday. And we’re reliable- I’ll get up at 3 in the morning so I have your breakfast ready by the time you drive up and other employees will be there late into the night.

Let’s not downplay this: employees at fast food restaurants are our heroes.

Besides my pride in the work we do, I’m extremely grateful for my coworkers and managers on an individual level. Among our team are some of the kindest members of the community. When I mentioned off-hand that I had a paper to write, one coworker immediately asked for the details on the assignment and offered extensive help.

When I was struggling to decide which major to pursue, another coworker asked questions and offered a listening ear and endless advice. When I needed a pick-me-up, everyone on the team was right there with a joke, a hug, or an encouraging message. We’re a community.

The next time you stop by a fast food restaurant, get to know the person behind the counter or at the window. They’re pretty cool people and I’m willing to bet their work has helped you through a rough situation at some point in the past.

I work at a fast food restaurant and I’m proud to serve you one of the highlights of the human experience: affordable, delicious, celebratory, healing, sustaining food and the community that comes with it.