LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — After eight years of work with the Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County, Executive Director Cindy Black is retiring.
She reflected on her position and work … and discussed what it meant to her.
“It was time for me,” Black said. “I am of the age that I need to do other things.
“I am very happy to be coming to that point, but also very sad to be leaving this.”
She added: “I don’t know what I would’ve done without the Good Samaritan Center.
“Seeing the situation here at the Center get more and more stable, we have a good foundation.
“I feel as if I have been a part of that.”
CHANGES & CHALLENGES
Over the course of Black’s time with the Good Samaritan Center, many changes have occurred.
This included the organization getting better computer and phone systems. These updates have been a strong benefit for what the Good Samaritans of Loudon County look to accomplish.
Black also gave some great insight into how the Center handled the COVID-19 outbreak around five years ago.
“We had to change our whole method of what we do,” said Black. “It was a whole new way of how we served our clients.”
The Good Samaritan Center stayed open all throughout the pandemic. As “essential workers,” they were able to come in and work everyday.
Black added: “Our volunteers were very good about not coming in if they did not feel good.”
BENEFITS & RELATIONSHIPS
Black went into the rewarding parts of her job. This included hearing the different stories from the Center’s clients.
“We know we are helping the population here in Loudon County,” Black said. “Helping those who can’t make ends meet has been very rewarding.”
The executive director added: “We want to make sure people can get food when they need it (and) our pantry does a great job of that.”
The food that the Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County can provide isn’t limited to just canned goods. They also have items such as frozen chicken, meat and vegetables.
VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED, MORE NEEDED
The Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County has more than 100 volunteers. These people come in and work at different times.
“Some of them work two days a month and others work two days a week,” said Black. “We have a good staff of just four employees. I have been fortunate because they are wonderful.”
Black also mentioned that there is a variety of things that volunteers can do — and it is a very good use of anyone’s time.
The relationships that can be built between a volunteer and a Good Samaritan Center client are very present.
“A lot of the time, they [the volunteers] are just retired people who are good at talking,” said Black. “They all enjoy doing it.”
She added: “Never have I worked at a place where you can get so many volunteers.”
BLACK’S SUCCESSOR: MISTY PARKER
In anticipation of her retirement, Black has worked alongside fellow Good Samaritan Center employee Misty Parker.
Black plans on having Parker take over the role of executive director for the organization. And she gave some advice to her successor.
“I would say be sure to give everyone ownership of what they are doing here and support them,” Black said.
“Then, do all the dirty work in the office as far as being an executive director goes.”
As of Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. … Parker took over the role of executive director for the Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County.
