After dedicating 25 years to teaching, Teri was looking for a new way to connect with her community. She found it at the Loaves & Fishes of NWOK Food & Resource Center in Enid.

There, you can find Teri working on intake every Wednesday or filling in whenever and wherever she’s needed. She helps register clients and manage records, but her most important role? Being a compassionate listener.

“They all have a story, and they love to have someone listen. Each one is unique,” she says of the visitors she serves.

Teri is also passionate about passing along her love of volunteering. She once brought her 11- and 9-year-old grandchildren in to make birthday sacks, complete with cake mix, pans, napkins and candles, to help them understand the importance of giving back.

For anyone considering volunteering, Teri offers simple encouragement. “This is so fun. The people are so great,” she says. “They need it, so that makes you really feel good about the whole process.”

Interested in volunteering? Look here to discover opportunities near you. 

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