CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The saying “not all heroes wear capes” rings true for one Kings Mountain woman.
Dressed in casual attire, Teresa (Terricia) Wingo wakes up every day intending to do good for others. She calls herself an advocate for the homeless.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2022 annual homelessness report said the number of North Carolinians experiencing unsheltered homelessness rose from 2,558 to 3,625. The King Mountain Chief of Police, for her efforts to the community, awarded Wingo Distinguished Woman of the Year in 2021.
No day is the same for Wingo, but her mission doesn’t change.
“You have to take a chance and show love. You can’t go wrong. You don’t even have to know what that man or woman wants to eat, but if you pause and say ‘Hey, how can I serve you?’ that’s what love is for me,” Wingo said.
She shows that love, rain or shine, by packing up her car with essential items and heading to areas that are heavily populated by people going through homelessness. It’s not just socks and bottled drinks she’s providing, it’s also a listening ear to a population she says often comes with stereotypes.
“It doesn’t matter where they live, how they live, how they chose to live their life,” Wingo explained.
She makes the drive no matter the location, that includes Charlotte or Gastonia or anywhere in between.
Why does she do it?
Wingo says it’s something her family instilled in her at an early age, and whether it’s at 59-year-old, or 8-year-old, she says — it’s a purpose she has to fulfill.
“I thank God that he handpicked me to do, for Him... just for Him... not for man... not for me, but for Him,” she said.
Wingo tells Spectrum News 1 that carrying out the Lord’s work is her full-time job, and during the stops, she takes a moment to give those who need it a prayer.
But it’s not just those on the streets she’ll help, it’s also the families looking for their missing loved ones.
On each stop, she takes photos of individuals, and, by taking those pictures and posting it on Facebook, she says she’s giving families in all different states — comfort.
“The pictures are for the parents that can’t sleep at night because their daughter or son, or grandchild is missing, it’s for them,” Wingo said.
She says when she leaves this world; she wants to know she gave everything she could and, in turn, hopes it also inspires the next generation.
“The hope for the children is truly the future, I’m thankful for every parent that’s allowed their child to go out with me and the children have so much compassion, it’s almost like they’re born in to helping,” Wingo said.