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'Tis the season for giving back
11:59 AM
by Kristen Watson
It was a typical start of the day
at Our Daily Bread, Denton’s local food pantry and soup kitchen, when a new,
young face walked in.
Homeless and hungry, he partook in
that day’s continental breakfast. The young man began to frequent the kitchen
daily, each day eating breakfast and a hot lunch with other guests of the
kitchen.
Seeing hope and promise in the man,
the staff at Our Daily Bread referred him to the Denton ISD Adult Education
Services in hopes of helping the young man obtain his GED. The staff also found
him low-cost housing and assisted in resume building and job searches.
“Once he was housed, he completed
his GED and got a job,” Our Daily Bread executive director, Millie Bell said.
“He sent me a letter a year later with pictures of his GED certificate and his
driver’s license and thanked us, for now he was now gainfully employed.”
Stories like these unfold daily at
the multitude of places around Denton that serve the community. This holiday
season, there are an abundance of places Dentonites could give back.
A great place to start would be Our
Daily Bread. They need an average of 29 volunteers each day to run the kitchen,
Bell said. In addition to needing year-round kitchen volunteers, during the
week of December 8-12 there will be multiple holiday-themed events where
volunteers are needed.
“There is no better feeling than
donating your time and food items to a food kitchen like Our Daily Bread that
truly believes in each individual that walks though their doors,” North Texas
Sweethearts philanthropy officer, Reagen Sparkman said. “It’s amazing to know
that donating a handful of canned goods can feed an individual that otherwise
might go hungry that day. But, with the help of volunteers, having a warm meal
is not something these people have to worry about anymore.”
Another great spot to spread joy
and donate your time is the Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village, one of
Denton’s largest providers of senior care and services.
While volunteer opportunities
certainly aren’t limited to the holidays, they are seeking volunteers to help
decorate the community, assist with the resident’s holiday crafts, help mail
Christmas cards and to serve food and beverages at holiday parties and dinners.
“The holiday season can be one of
the hardest times of the year for older generations,” Good Samaritan Society
Marketing Coordinator, Allison Swink said. “Especially those who have lost
loved ones in the past or are unable to travel to their loved ones. Volunteers
can help make the holiday season easier for those individuals through their
time and service while bringing enjoyment and purpose to their own lives.”
Where to find information on volunteering:
Our Daily Bread
940-765-7607
ourdailybreaddenton.org/volunteer
Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village
940-383-2651
good-sam.com/index.php/locations/dentonvillage/volunteer
The Red Cross
972-219-4860
redcross.org/support/volunteer
CASA of Denton County
940-243-2272
casadenton.org
Volunteer Center of North Texas
1-866-797-8268
United Way Denton
940-566-5851
unitedwaydenton.org/volunteer
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