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

volunteernorthtexas.org/volunteer

United Way Denton

940-566-5851

unitedwaydenton.org/volunteer