Volunteer hauls food and delivers hope

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - When Charlie Boyll retired 19 years ago, he was left with one question: what to do with all that spare time?

He found the answer at the Providence Food Pantry in the basement of the old St. Leonard School in West Terre Haute.

Since then, he’s gotten up each morning (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) to haul food from the Catholic Charities Food Bank and from a local IGA to the pantry.

“I thought it was something I wanted to do,” Boyll said. “It was something that I thought I would enjoy doing, so I just volunteered.”

Along the way, he’s had a few challenges, including shoulder problems that make it tough for him to raise his arms.

Still, he continues, spurred by the needs of others.

“Just seeing that these people get the food that they need … and we’re able to give it to them,” Boyll said. “I know some of them personally, and they need the food bad.”

The food bank gives out that food each Thursday morning, and Sister Joseph Fillenwarth, S.P. said that distribution uses the work of human hands and a little help from above.

“It’s called Providence Pantry because God provides through all of the helping hands in West Terre Haute,” Sister Fillenwarth said.

Charlie’s are always among those hands, she said.

“Charlie’s here every day. He doesn’t complain,” said Lisa Brown, another volunteer. “I feel like Charlie lives his life for God, family and community.”

For that dedication, Charlie Boyll is the winner of WTHI-TV and Open Range Communications’ Make A Difference award for April 2011.