Meet Teri Sue Parker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Sue Parker.

Hi Teri, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I started with a thought and taking action on that thought immediately March 13, Friday the 13th I was in home care as a supervisor and I had stopped at a store to pick up a plant for a sick client, what I saw, heard, felt was complete fear, panic and lines all the way to the back of the store in the middle of the day when its usually quiet, then I looked at my phone and it was blowing up with cancelations of my meetings, mixers, visits, schools were sending kids home, people were told to go home from work it was complete panic in the eyes of everyone I saw, the baskets were overflowing with staple foods, toilet paper and canned goods, people were getting ready for a “Stay in place” order which nobody had ever been through not in this lifetime, so I left that store went to another bigger store and a white board was filled items that they were already out of and then limiting the items they did have to just 2 a family and that store had people lined up all the way to the very back of the store, I went home and told my husband I’m going to start a food drive due to I felt the stores were going to run out of food and what about the isolated people, seniors, disabled, and people isolating that did not know how to or could afford Instacart or ordering online, I then began my mission of posting on local media Facebook and insta that I was collecting food and items to deliver to isolated seniors, I would collect the food, wipe it down and deliver it to porches with a nice note saying the food was safe and our number, one day later our first donation showed up and I was so excited that someone had taken the time in all this mess to stop and drop off food in the red bin I had put on our porch and I put a sign in our yard we called it Operation Temecula Food Drive, we built it and guess what they came every day I posted and people reached out asking for help or wanting to donate and I really wanted to make the food healthy and good quality as much as possible I also posted on Next-door so the 30 neighborhood’s surrounding us would see the post about helping each other during this uncertain time to give what they could please no expired food just what they could give, we would get it to homes in the area in need the most. I took pictures of the food on our porch every day, and it just kept growing; I cried every time I opened my front door and there was another donation. I would yell, upstairs DONATION after just a couple weeks, we needed to move out to the garage, and we needed fridges and freezers due to the amount of food that was being donated to our porch! I asked, and it came again. The community came through with fridges, freezers, and food!! Those who could do, and I didn’t want to make neighbors upset due to traffic, so I took my little red car and delivered first to isolated seniors and families isolating due to someone in the home having COVID, and they were on lockdown. I was shocked at the amount of food that came, and the attention that came; people still wanted to give and do good even with all the horrible news; we had some amazing givers come and build wall-to-wall shelves in the garage the food was taking over the house, to this day we are still in the garage and our home, I had asked my employer at the time to let me go due to my hours went from 50 hours to 20 and it was home health and I could not do my job sitting behind a desk answering a phone that was not ringing was not for me, I felt I could do more out in the community and my home collecting food and lifting people up while I could. They reluctantly did let me go so I could at least get a little unemployment income and I could continue my mission of feeding our community in need and their pets. For the holidays, I thought, oh my, how will they all get through this, especially those completely alone, isolated, and all they knew was what they were seeing on the news, which was horrific. So I thought, what if I posted and had the people in the community that could adopt seniors, or a veteran, or family in need? I got this Idea from a show I had back in 97 in radio and TV small town cable show, would it work again, it did, I mean it really did, people wanted to give most food pantry’s and places that usually gave to had closed up their doors so I Started “Adopt A Family” in need for Thanksgiving, Christmas and later Mother’s day, valentines day, Easter. My husband put the paperwork in for a 501 c 3; this thing called COVID was not going away, and we could help more people this way, as well as one donator that asked if I would pick up a donation on a Sun day, and I said of course I arrived and both garage doors opened and OMGosh wheel Barrells full of meat, chicken, pork, food, dog food treats it was a truckload she still today has been our biggest donator and board member and all around hero she said she just wanted to do something that mattered, well she was a game changer! Lisa was my first volunteer as well I could not have help due to lockdowns, virus spreading for the entire first year; ABC 7 heard of us and came out spent the day following us around donating food to people’s doorsteps, we first just rang the bell and left as to not have contact for everyone’s safety, so once we could start seeing people and faces to these people it also was a game changer. We were recognized by the state 3 months in by Maria Waldron, assemblywoman, as a “Covid-19 Hero.” I was like, I’m not a hero. The front-line workers were, but they said, yes, you are a front-line worker. You are feeding isolated people who have nobody and going to them, not turning away. What an honor I posted everything to cause attention to our cause not to brag but to have those that could to help, adopt, donate give what they could even if it was a can of soup. I was literally living in the garage someone even donated garage door insolation due to the heat in the summer. It was 100 sometimes out there, but we just kept going. People needed to eat… I was getting requests for hygiene items as well as we grew, so we pretty much took up the entire 3 car garage and divided it for food, supplies, and pet food!!! We started getting donations from the farms and orchards, fresh food was huge, and people would tell us they had not had fresh produce for up to 6 months, so the need was there it grew and so did we. I used my marketing knowledge social media presence, and connections to other businesses to get everyone involved as well as the Temecula chamber, and Rotary club, etc. It really seemed we were finding people that were falling through the cracks people that had never been out of work or had to ask for anything. I tried to make it user-friendly and didn’t ask to many questions by keeping my personal phone number on all posts and our home address it was just more than a box of food to so many we were told it was like that weekly food drop off was like opening a Christmas gift, and it was just food, I felt food should not be a luxury and everyone should have fresh, food food to eat and feed their family and their pets and loved ones. We had built a kind of trust in the community, and people just wanted to give help; one lady heard of us and saw me opening the garage door one day by hand with a bad back, and the next day, Shawn had her garage door people here putting a new motor in our garage door unit, that was not cheap but she was so touched by what we were doing from our garage. Things started opening up a couple of years later. By that time, we had built a food pantry non-profit. We had turned what was a scary, uncertain time into something good that helped so many. We just continued growing and feeding more and more in need, and during the holiday’s it was like Santa’s village people adopting and getting wish list filling the lists and we made Holiday Baskets filled with special food’s to make a special holiday meal, and with those boxes filled with turkey and roasts and all the fixings came their wish list filled!! Christmas looked just a bit brighter and the other holidays with people donating flowers and gifts to go with our food boxes to all kinds of people in need in the community. It is now 2024, and we are a 501-c 3 foundation still from our home here in Temecula the need right now is higher than it was during covid due to inflation and food costs doubling. We try to apply for grants due to donations slowed way down when life started to get back to the new normal, we do food raising, and I do speaking engagements, fundraisers; I joined a group called 100 women who care Temecula valley that supports local nonprofits about 150 women now, if someone is in need they know to call or email us we have to date not turned anyone away and it has been rough at times, but we just keep going. I go to events and educate people about food insecurity right here in our own backyards; we have been nominated the last 3 years for nonprofit of the year, which was a honor for just doing the right thing, and had some great stories written in the newspaper and magazine sourcebook for Inland Empire, realtors, and businesses have joined in and we still do not take a salary, but we do need a building with a walk-in cooler, our home has taken some beating with using it as a base for a food pantry plus so supply’s for pets and all people all walks of life contacting us, isolated seniors, veterans, foster care kids, disabled, cancer affected people, family’s at risk and in need. We have kept it personal and healthy, making our healthy food boxes full of produce and protein and food’s they can make a good healthy meal, and we do pull from local farms and orchards it is not like it used to be; we do have to apply for grants and fundraise 24/7 to buy the food now to put in the boxes but the food always seems to come and supply’s and we are still delivering to homes locally with a few vouleenters and helpers here and there. We just keep going keeping faith in humanity that it will come, and the more involved I stay the more the community engages as well, and the Adopt A Family programs and fundraising and food raising continues to help those still in need for whatever the reason nobody deserves to go hungry not on our watch and their pets deserve food as well and Holidays are just about giving in this house and what we get back in return is just a full heart and faith in humanity. It helps us as much as the person receiving the food supplies, and gifts! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Great question. It started out pretty easy: just put a sign in my yard, posted it on social media, and see what happened. I expected to do this for a couple weeks a food drive it has been more than 3 years, so we have faced some life-changing challenges, including heart attacks, intense skin nose cancer I flew my daughter home to help run the pantry, death of a 18-year-old family dog “Buddy” who inspected every single bag and donation, to critters wanting to come in and make our garage there home, to floods and leaks and excess heat and cold. The last was major spine surgery due to all the heavy lifting, and that was in October, but we still kept serving. The struggles were what a lot go through, but we have people depending on us so we always found a way to serve, and when I had the Major surgery and my husband had the heart attack A group I joined 100 Women Who Care Temecula Valley’s President Tracey stepped up and started a food train for us believe it or not and it was a godsend, people from all over brough us already made food, healthy food, and encouragement karma came back to us twice fold, and it was beautiful. When you use your home for a food pantry and as a giving headquarters it really becomes a community project, especially during the holidays, the tree or trees have other family’s gifts under them to be delivered and we would have it no other way. We did hit some hardships with electricity running all the fridges and freezers and lights in the garage and fans as well as rodent control and extra things added to keep food and supplies safe and clean. Every struggle, we found a way around it or through it. The gas prices and food doubling in price was a huge hit, so we hit the local harvesters and orchards harder, and they try and give what they can. Everyone is struggling with these prices, but it always works out when we work together as a community and build relationships, and lift each other up, especially those that need a little more. The ones we helped out of Covid now give back to us, which is amazing. Kids seeing their parents give and give back teenagers donating their time, people trusting The Good Samaritans, and donating what they can so we can buy good healthy food. When the fires hit last year, we were able to supply food and items to evacuation places. To every Obstacle we found an answer. For city grants, you need a business license and insurance, etc., etc.; somehow, it happened; challenges just made us stronger. Well, the major spine surgery I’m still recovering from, but I have good helpers at times. It was a wake-up call to delegate and get more help! Through it all, we got through and will continue as long as we can help others. It seems people will follow if they have a good leader and someone they trust to give to. Summer will be a huge challenge due to the heat here in Temecula, so we hope to have a space or building somewhere close soon. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel I have always been put in a place where I could be of service even through my career and a leader for good things to happen; I was Mrs. Lincoln City in 1997 to go on to Mrs. Oregon due to my serving and giving back to the community through my career in broadcasting, It was not a glamorous event for me it was using my position and voice for doing good and spreading humanity every event I attended doing all the charity service and lifting others up, I’m very outgoing and know for my big heart and giving spirit and positive attitude as well as trustworthy and a safe place for many to lean. I absolutely loved having my morning show, Wake Up Lincoln City,” where I was sales manager for the radio station and became the host for their upstairs morning TV talk show. By far, my calling and favorite career ever doing the live remotes and live TV of the show back in 97! I was known for my high energy and humor, as well as my love for good healthy food. Being a chef by trade really fit in with the food pantry people say the boxes are prepared as if I was planning their meals. As a leader, as I have been told, a boss lady, and a giver with a great work ethic, as well as an inspiration to others to never give up telling my story! Growing up on a small farm in Oregon where farm to table was all I knew, and doing chores, working for everything we had, and a big one, being a giver, doing the right thing and always respecting our elders and helping our neighbors was carried on into my adult life all in good ways. I guess the name fits. Someone said you’re like the Good Samaritan, and the name just stuck!! I believe if I stood out or apart of others it would just always be, being myself no matter what, I’m the same person with everyone I don’t change who I am to fit someone else’s mold, I’m most proud of being a mom to 2 really amazing daughters. Ashley and Sabrina there just really good humans Sabrina is currently Pregnant with twin boys in Oregon, Regional Chef for Pelican Brewery in Oregon boss lady over several of their locations she worked hard for this position and is an amazing chef and leader, Ashley my first born is the most giving, caring, respectful human as well as a nature lover, and lives off the grid and works at a small cafe in Markleeville Ca, is full of energy and goodness we talk or message every single day, she during the pandemic was teaching at-risk kids and when school closed down her, and her coworker got together and made over 100 lunches to deliver with homework to these kids and saw some really sad living conditions but took action to be that bright spot in their day, she was their saving grace and their healthy food breakfast and dinner they did this sometimes in freezing weather and a lot of snow nothing stopped them to get these kids through the pandemic! I’m proud of Good Samaritan for starting something simple in a global pandemic, thinking of others first, and turning it into a foundation that I can leave behind to my daughters; a dog lover as well and have an 18-year-old Jack Russell “Otis” attached to my hip that is still going strong, eats good, 3 walks a day, proud to be his mom as well and a wife who changed everything and the way I cooked to save my husband’s life as a diabetic and we reversed it with food not drugs he was a good student AS A retired Chiropractor Dr. Bruce believes healthy food is everything he is living proof you are what you eat, very supportive of my efforts to change every single thing he ate, meaning we have not had sugar or alcohol for over 10 years, I’m just real, dress up show up and always am myself no matter who I’m with or talking to. I own my mistakes and feel lifting up other non-profits, businesses, and people just makes the world a better place. Food, Good food seems to always bring people together. I give my parents both have passed, but the way I was brought up, as I have said, has a lot to do with who I am; I lost my mom at 15, she was 40 from a freak brain aneurysm, my dad who taught me everything I know about doing it yourself and being strong and kind and being his shadow growing up he passed 6 years ago from Alzheimer’s but the lessons my parents taught me lasted a lifetime on that little farm in Oregon. I like to think this pantry is an example of being raised unspoiled and loved and taught how to survive off the land. 

What matters most to you? Why?
Authenticity, being true to ourselves, and doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. It is also important that nobody no matter what their race, religion, political view, age should go hungry, fresh healthy food should be available to all our communities they should not have to make a choice between bills and food, FOOD is not a luxury and good food especially should be available. Giving back and finding ways around what is happening in the world today, staying positive and spreading infectious hope and faith that we “got this,” finding solutions when they arise, and finding a balance between the Good Samaritan Community and Home life and family. I want people to see “food pantry” in a different way, not a canned food, expired food drop off but for the community to see that the receivers or people using the food pantry for themselves and their family and pets are just like us, every single situation is different and we are not put here to judge, or question but to be a safe haven to give a lift when needed. I have had to use a local food pantry many, many years ago; I remember it took me 11 times to walk by the little local food pantry before I had to swallow my pride, fear and walk inside and say, “Help” please, that day changed my life forever, I got 2 bags of food, a hotel voucher for one night I said I just need a place to rest, eat and sleep so I can hit the ground running the next day and the very next day on foot got both jobs I applied for and just kept moving forward so when I say I get it to people and that I have been there that is why I’m here, that’s why I make it easy as possible for our community in need to receive much-needed resources, now giving back is because I really do know what it is like to be hungry, a bit lost and nowhere to turn, I now give back to that little food pantry and tell my story and donate when we have extra. Just 2 bags of food, a bed and shower, and clean clothes are all a lot need to start over or get back on their feet! What matters is that we make it easier for people falling through the cracks to receive fresh food, supply’s, hygiene, pet food and a list of resources to get back on their feet, one person giving can change another’s life because they gave and took action! Faith in humanity restored just keep going no matter what. 

Pricing:

• Hunger Relief Program 75$ month a senior citizen fresh food box & pet food
• Hunger Relief Program $120 without kids
• $230 a month Family w/Kids & pets
• Adopt A Family $150 for the holidays, fresh food boxes Holiday Dinner basket
• Adopt A Single Mom for mothers Day fresh food basket, flowers, choclates5 fresh food and flowers and gift

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodsamaritancommunity.org
• Facebook: Good Samaritan Community Food Pantry
• Other: Go Fund Me Good Samaritan Community Food Pantry