Volunteer feels need to help

Editor's note: The following is an article in a series profiling local volunteers.

PORTALES — "Why do you do it?" is a difficult question for Portales Meals on Wheels Treasurer Glenn McCoy to answer.

"It's like, 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' Because it was there," said McCoy, who has been on the Meals on Wheels board since 2005. "To be real professional, I guess I would have to say I sense a need to help other people, not just with Meals on Wheels, but in other areas as well."

According to McCoy, board treasurer since 2007, a typical work day includes collecting and recording payments and depositing collections in the bank. He even has a monthly meal route he completes as a member of the board.

"At our board meetings, we simply do reports," McCoy said. "There are about three or four of us that give reports as to what has happened in our area. I let them know how payments are coming, and if we're having any difficulties in that area."

McCoy helps others because one day he may be in need of assistance, and he empathizes with people who would otherwise go without human contact.

"The Meals on Wheels people at least add a little sunshine to the life of that person for a brief time," he said. "I try to talk about something with the people while I'm there — the weather or whatever — just to get a conversation going with them."

Meals on Wheels Board Secretary Doncella Caywood works with McCoy, and said his strong work ethic on the board comes from a place of true compassion.

"He cares," Caywood said. "He really works hard at keeping our money so we can continue this. He's a very contentious person and very accurate in his record keeping, and very diligent about bringing funds in so that we can continue meals on wheels. He's a very Christian man, and he does this for God's glory."

As someone who does not have to experience extreme hunger, McCoy feels it is his duty to help those that may not be as certain that they will be able to eat.

"In any community, though we are a democracy, that doesn't mean that everybody is equal in the necessities of life," McCoy said. "It surely seems to me that — and I'm not rich, so don't get me wrong on that — if I am a 'have,' I have some responsibility toward the 'have-nots,' because if I were a 'have-not,' I would want a 'have' to help me."