We couldn’t exist without our volunteers. They faithfully serve Jesus by serving their community. Whether they help visitors at our food pantry, sort clothes at Secondhand Treasures, or make deliveries, all of our volunteers are critical to our mission. Meet two of these faithful volunteers, Daryld and Connie Karloff, who love to serve their neighbors.
What is your church home? Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona
How long have you been volunteering at Caring Hands?
We started volunteering in August of 2019.
What inspired you to serve at Caring Hands?
Connie: I dropped off a clothing donation and met Melinda Vander Velden. We had a discussion about the work that Caring Hands does and the available volunteer opportunities. I was convinced that this was the volunteer opportunity I had been trying to find. I am thankful for that day!
Daryld: Connie and I enjoy volunteering together. We believe Caring Hands provides a wonderful service to our community.
What do you typically do when you volunteer?
Connie: I’ve done a variety of things over the years. Currently, I volunteer weekly at Our Daily Bread. Each month, a team of volunteers from our church, including Daryld, provide food pantry services. We also help Caring Hands with pop-up garage sale events.
Tell us about a time you were blessed by your work as a volunteer at Caring Hands.
Every time we volunteer, we are blessed by the interaction with clients and the opportunity to serve others. Working with other volunteers is an added blessing!
What do you wish people knew about Caring Hands?
The level and scope of food and household items provided every day to persons in our area. I hope we can continue to reach a broader population at the new location expanding the number of clients served.
Tell us one fun fact about you.
Connie: I grew up in Baxter where my dad and grandpa owned and operated the local grocery store. I learned lots about customer service!
Daryld: I grew up on a farm in Nebraska.
