We were lucky to catch up with Shametra Mcgregor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shametra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Operation Turkey was established with a mission of providing, Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families in need.

I’ve been a volunteer with Operation Turkey for 11 years. Annually, I would post a question on social media asking if anyone needs a meal or knows of anyone who needs a meal and to DM me or send a text. The responses were overwhelming each time. I used this information – quantitative research – and determined that there was a greater need in my community during the holidays.

In 2023, I started and currently serve as the City Leader for Operation Turkey Elgin because I saw a need in my own community. By having Operation Turkey in Elgin, my volunteers and I are able to provide 2500 meals on Thanksgiving Day. Elgin is a small suburban town near Austin, and we are able to feed the homeless as well as families that are unable to afford Thanksgiving Day meals in our town and a neighboring town. I am hopeful that what was started here in Elgin will help other small, local towns establish an Operation Turkey so no one goes hungry at Thanksgiving.

Shametra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Born and raised in East Austin, I began my journey, volunteering at the H-E-B 2006 Feast of Sharing event and later registered with United way to participate in United Way’s, Day of Caring event. I learned through my effort that eradicating hunger was my passion. I’ve been serving my community for well over a decade, eradicating hunger and embracing my community and Austin,
Texas.
Prior to Covid, I hosted food drives and collected monetary donations for the Central Texas Food Bank. Understanding food disparities in the Central Texas area, I transitioned my focus to the city of Elgin, Texas as the newest City Leader of Operation Turkey Elgin.
Spring 2023, I hit the pavement to strategize support and with a group of 65 volunteers was able to deliver 1100 meals in the 1st year.

With community support I look to continue on my journey to eradicate hunger on Thanksgiving Day in Elgin, Texas. The goal this year is 2500 meals.

Any advice for managing a team?

When working with a group of volunteers, it is very important to keep them motivated and energized, especially when preparing, and delivering 2500 meals on Thanksgiving Day.

Here’s how I do it. I center my pep talk around the mission and the goal. The mission is to provide meals to our neighbors in need on Thanksgiving Day. I take pride in being very personable. I take the opportunity to connect to each volunteer and find out their interests. This not only helps me personally connect with each volunteer, but it also helps me place each individual that volunteers their time to the area where they perform best. A job well done helps them remain connected to the mission.

For example: If an Operation Turkey volunteer is an introvert, a general strategy isn’t to put them in front of people through meal delivery because it requires a constant exchange of communication at a high level of service. For an introvert, that is a lot of expended energy. However, placing this volunteer in the background where there is less interaction, perhaps meal prep or plating, means it is less of an energy drain on them but still allows them to contribute in a meaningful way.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in this volunteer work I do is that the engagement with the community and with our volunteers fuel my creative energy in its most authentic form.

There are various emotions that I experience throughout the Operation Turkey process that no one gets to see. I tend to process and secretly insert those emotions into my writing and storytelling. I am an author and a social media influencer and part of why I have been able to develop a grassroots following is because of the authentic lean into what I experience through community upliftment and serving others. My creative process gets inspired through the genuine volunteer interactions I have and the ability to inspire others to help. Serving the greater good of a community taps into my purpose and that motivates me to continue to write and tell my story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she.blogs.about.everything/?igsh=cXpsNjAweWlmcnZy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperationTurkeyElgin?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

(Top Row) 1st photo, Firewild of Elgin with owners Amy Miley and Travis Mills.
2nd Photo, Shametra’s iPhone
3rd Photo Shametra’s book Chronicles of a Mended Heart, cover art by Herbert Drunkenbrod
4th Photo – Shametra and volunteers from the 1st annual East Austin Community Festival (2014)

(2nd Row)
1st photo – Shametra volunteering at Mobile Food Pantry for Central Texas Foodbank, (Shametra’s mobile )
2nd photo – Shametra with volunteer from Austin Fire Department 3rd Annual East Austin Community Festival.

(3rd Row) 1st photo – Shametra with volunteers at 3rd annual East Austin Community Fall Festival (2016)
2nd Photo – Shameta with volunteers and Deja Alexi Nava – Cooper of Chemn Cafe at 1st Operation Turkey Elgin (2023)

Last photo
Shametra with Klara Jagosova supporter of her book, Chronicles of A Mended Heart.