Meet Terry and Jack. They’ve been married 13 years. The energetic couple knew they wanted to stay active after retirement.
“We try to do our fair share for our community and we’re no strangers to hard work,” said Terry, who spent 40 years as an operating room nurse.
They began volunteering in 2021, first in the warehouse and then at drive-thru distributions. Terry mentioned how rewarding it was to directly serve people in need, to associate a face or family with their volunteer efforts.
When the drive-thru distributions ended and the pantry opened at the Main Campus in Akron, Terry and Jack quickly signed up for a weekly shift.
“It gives me a sense of joy knowing that my hands, my gifts and talents, my energy and strength are being used to serve people,” said Terry.
She fondly reflects on a time when a woman shopping the pantry hugged her. “She said I had a beautiful smile and she was thankful I was there.”
"These are our neighbors and they’re like family. You get to know their stories and struggles, and food is our commonality — everyone has to eat.”
Jack’s heart is just as committed to the work, but volunteering at the Foodbank is a different experience for him. His family relied on government programs until he was in high school. “It’s emotional for me knowing my family was in that position when I was young, so this work really means a lot to me.”
Thank you, Jack and Terry, for loving our neighbors with open hearts each and every week!