POWERGRAMS

28 calling during the pandemic had driven through for groceries. Copeland helps at First Missionary Church-East Boyles on Wednesday mornings. He and other volunteers pack the donated food in boxes and begin staging the 20-pound boxes on the sidewalk in front of the church. On food-pickup days, he is among the six to eight men who volunteer. By 10 a.m., about 40 to 50 older people begin driving up to the church. Each volunteer wears a mask and keeps a safe distance while loading food into the back seat or trunk of recipients' cars. "It's a prey good bit of food for a family to have for a week," Copeland said. "About 99% of the people who come by are the underserved in the community. It makes me feel good to know I'm helping the cause." Copeland helped the church at Thanksgiving, delivering precooked meals to 50 to 75 families. His only break came in December, when he and Mary Ann enjoyed a vacation to the beach to celebrate her birthday. Despite not being a member of either church, Copeland said that he fits in "prey well" with the other helpers, some of whom are military veterans in their 60s and 70s. One church member told Copeland, "Man, we think you are one of our guys now." The comment brought a smile to Copeland's face. "Helping out at the churches has helped me – I'm the one who is geing blessed," he said. "I give about 3 hours every time I'm there." While the work gives Copeland a chance to talk with others and get out of the house, his service hours have mounted: by mid-December, he had volunteered 103 hours. "I feel blessed," Copeland said. "It's been in me to help others, but this work helped me, instead. It makes me feel good inside." by Donna Cope Photos by Meg McKinney

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