Retirement offers a chance to explore new hobbies, travel, or finally tackle long-awaited projects. For retired educators Theresa and Richard Winemiller, retirement created an opportunity to continue doing what they have spent so much of their lives doing: helping children and families.
For the past four years, the couple has volunteered together at Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB). Whether they're preparing summer meals, sorting food for distribution, or tackling behind-the-scenes tasks, they have become familiar faces to team members and fellow volunteers alike.
"We came, we worked in the warehouse, and it was fantastic," Richard said. "We just kept coming on our own."
A Lifetime of Helping Others
Theresa taught elementary-aged students at Austin ISD for nearly 30 years of her 36-year career in education. Richard spent 20 years in the hospitality industry, but then transitioned to education as well, spending 22 years teaching culinary arts in Austin ISD.
Those experiences continue to shape the way they view food access today.
"I had worked in schools where food insecurity was something that was real for the families that I worked with," Theresa said.
At one school, she partnered closely with Foundation Communities and witnessed firsthand how access to meals helped students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. The need was impossible to ignore.
"I was one of the teachers whose desk drawer was full of food," she recalled. "If I knew a kid was going to be hungry over the weekend, a backpack would just magically appear with bread and peanut butter."
For Theresa, volunteering at CTFB felt like a natural extension of the work she had already been doing for years.
For Richard, the connection came through food itself.
"I've always been very invested in the connection that food creates with people and between people," he said. "And how important food is in society."
Today, those shared values continue to bring them back week after week.
Finding Purpose in Retirement
One of the things Theresa and Richard appreciate most about volunteering is the flexibility. Because they are retired, they can build volunteering into their schedules while still pursuing hobbies, classes, and other interests. The variety of volunteer opportunities keeps each shift interesting.
Some days, they're helping sort food in the warehouse. Other days, they're preparing meals in CTFB’s kitchen. And sometimes they're doing what Richard jokingly refers to as the "glamour jobs."
"I am very well known as the king of the dish pit," he laughed.
While dishwashing may not be the most visible role in the kitchen, Richard is quick to point out that every task matters.
The couple often works side by side, taking on projects that require teamwork and trust.
"We work well together," Theresa said. "There are jobs that just need two people, and the two of us can do it on our own."
Their partnership is evident in the way they volunteer together. There is an easy rhythm to their work, built through years of shared experiences, mutual respect, and a common desire to help others.
Helping Feed Kids All Summer Long
During the summer months, Theresa and Richard often volunteer in the kitchen, where the pace picks up as CTFB prepares meals for children participating in the Summer Meals program, an extension of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.
Each week, CTFB distributes approximately 30,000 meals through summer meal sites across Central Texas, helping ensure children have reliable access to nutritious food when school is out.
For Theresa, the importance of those meals is deeply personal.
"I know they're hungry during the summer," she said.
As a former educator, she understands the role nutrition plays in helping children learn, grow, and thrive.
"The meals we put together for the summer are just so needed," she said. "It's just really important that we feed the kids."
Then she paused before adding a simple truth shaped by decades of experience:
"Kids need to be fed."
It is a straightforward statement, but one that captures the heart of why she and Richard continue to volunteer.
A Place for Everyone
Ask either of them why they continue to return after four years, and the answer comes easily.
The work matters.
The people are welcoming and every shift offers an opportunity to make a difference.
"I always leave here feeling like I did something important," Richard said. "I did something to help another person."
Looking for a Meaningful Volunteer Opportunity?
Whether you're retired, looking to give back, or searching for a flexible way to support your community, CTFB offers volunteer opportunities in the kitchen, warehouse, and beyond.
Learn more about volunteering and register for a shift today.
