Volunteer: Patty Friedley 

When it was time to retire, Patty Friedley was not ready to throw in the towel. She worked in the hospitality industry for 17 years and when she retired she wanted to continue doing something positive for the community. She had never had time to volunteer before and retirement presented an opportunity to do so. When friend and fellow church member Mary Beth Spears invited her to serve at the Community Kitchen Patty decided to give it a try.
 
Though Patty had never heard of the Community Kitchen until the invitation from Mary Beth, she fell in love with the people and the work after her first day on the job.
 
Nearly four years later, Patty continues to love her work at the Community Kitchen. She serves drinks five days a week, including Sundays during special church services held there.
 
“If I wasn’t here I’d be sitting at home,” Patty says. “I’ve met so many precious people. People who are broken. People who are lonely. I just love them.”
 
Her love for the people is evidenced by the many hugs Patty doles out throughout a day.
 
“I love hugs and I get about 15 to 20 a day,” she says.
 
Like many of our volunteers, Patty has her own story of triumph. She was 52 when she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Since that time, He has given her grace to overcome a painful past. The story she shares with others has provided many with renewed hope for their future.
 
“We must let others see Jesus in us,” she says. “If they don’t see Jesus in us then we’re useless.”

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