Patti Coppess and her husband moved to Portage in 1995. Coppess, a big believer in giving back to local communities, volunteers in various ways for the Portage community.
“I always felt that if you don’t give back to your community, you shouldn't be there,” Coppess said. “I got involved wherever I could.”
Her husband retired approximately four years after the couple moved to Portage, resulting in some new extra time on his schedule. As such it was the perfect time for Coppess to get her husband involved in volunteering with her.
“I got him interested in volunteering, just to keep him busy. I was already doing Rebuilding Together in Michigan City,” Coppess said.
The couple participates in several volunteer opportunities together.
“We both belong to the exchange club and do several things with them,” Coppess said.
Coppess is particularly passionate about her volunteer work with the Portage Township Food Pantry. Now that she’s retired, she volunteers there at least five days a week.
“When I retired in 2018, I more or less devoted myself to the food pantry,” Coppess said. “I do pickups from different stores to locations. I also help distribute just to help out in any way I can. That's my passion.”
The food pantry is a necessity for the community. Coppess said that most people who come to the Portage Township Food Pantry are seniors. Volunteering there makes Coppess happy because it puts a smile on the face of others.
“It gives me joy because it gives other people joy,” she said. “It kind of rubs off on you to help out in the community, and it’s enlightening to see people joyous over getting fresh food.”
While volunteering at the food pantry is a passion of Coppess’, she has additional hobbies that she enjoys, including spending time with her husband. The couple likes to travel together and have a trip planned in the coming months to Tennessee, southern Indiana, and Kentucky.
The couple travels one to two times per year together. Coppess loves traveling and wishes she could do it more. She joined Postcrossing in 2016, which is a project that facilitates postcard sending between people that do not know each other.
Coppess’ impact on the Portage community through her volunteerism is significant. This is particularly true at the food pantry, where each week other local community members depend on her time and work to fuel themselves and their families. She sets an example of giving back that is admirable to many of the people she helps out.