AWS Elemental Sponsors a Day of Grocery Deliveries!

AWS Elemental sponsored a day of grocery delivery costs for approximately 110 homebound seniors and adults with disabilities on April 26th through Store to Door’s Support-A-Day program. Employees of AWS Elemental also celebrated the week by volunteering to grocery shop for Store to Door clients, along with 60-75 other Portland-area volunteers.

Other companies who have committed to sponsor a day or week of grocery deliveries this year include First Tech Federal Credit Union, Advantis Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Daimler Trucks North America, and Dave’s Killer Bread. Store to Door’s program is made possible by a close partnership with Fred Meyer.

We would like to thank AWS Elemental for their continued support, and we are excited to continue working together!

First Tech Federal Credit Union Sponsors a Week of Grocery Deliveries!

First Tech Federal Credit Union sponsored a week of grocery delivery costs for approximately 220 homebound seniors and adults with disabilities from April 16th to April 20th through Store to Door’s Support-A-Week program. Employees of First Tech also celebrated the week by volunteering to grocery shop for Store to Door clients, along with 60-75 other Portland-area volunteers.

Other companies who have committed to sponsor a day or week of grocery deliveries this year include AWS Elemental, Advantis Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Daimler Trucks North America, and Dave’s Killer Bread. Store to Door’s program is made possible by a close partnership with Fred Meyer.

We would like to thank First Tech for their continued support, and we are excited to continue working together!

Volunteer Spotlight: George Needham

Can you briefly describe your experience Volunteering with Store to Door?

I retired after 20 years at Nike in November 2016. I knew I wanted to get involved in some form of volunteering. I did some on-line research and found Store to Door. My first days of shopping were in April 2017. I’ve shopped every Wednesday and Thursday since. Minus a few while traveling, etc.

Has anything surprised you about your experience with Store to Door?

What surprised me was how much I enjoy it. I really love it.

Can you tell me about an older person (Grandparent etc.) who has had a particularly big impact on you personally?

My maternal Grandmother. She was the reason we all would get together a few times every year and those gatherings were really special.

If you could eat only 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Lobster, steak, pizza. Probably should replace the pizza with fruits and veggies.

What is your favorite wonderful (or terrible) movie, and why?

The 1951 movie, Scrooge, starring Alastair Sim. We watch it every Christmas Eve.

What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?

Fire. Just kidding. Probably computers. They’ve changed everything.

What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Read.

As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

An architect. Turns out I was terrible at math.

Volunteer Spotlight: Susie Perkins

How did you first encounter Store to Door?

I was Googling a service for my aging Mom in Miami, Florida and Store to Door Portland kept popping up. They don’t have anything like this in Miami so I knew I wanted to volunteer to help seniors just like her in her honor.

What has your experience been like Volunteering with Store to Door?

It’s awesome. I take orders, shop and deliver so I’m a triple threat. I have developed some amazing relationships with my clients and the other S2D volunteers (shout out to Bea!!)

Has anything surprised you about your experience with Store to Door?

It’s such a great service – I’m surprised more places don’t do it (like Miami!)

Can you tell me about an older person (Grandparent etc.) who has had a particularly big impact on you personally?

Both my parents have passed and had me late in life so Grandparents are a fuzzy memory. But I had the BEST parents and family and really an ideal childhood.

If you could eat only 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Spinach, broccoli and kale. Just kidding! Pizza, rye bread and chips and salsa. Also an Arnold Palmer to wash it down.

What is your favorite terrible movie, and why?

Tommy Boy and Caddy Shack. So many quotable lines.

What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?

Sliced bread – okay the wheel.

What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Stay dry.

As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

A roller skating queen… then teacher. Practical won out over the disco ball.

Wells Fargo Sponsors a Week of Grocery Deliveries!

Wells Fargo sponsored a week of grocery delivery costs for approximately 220 homebound seniors and adults with disabilities from April 2nd to April 6th through Store to Door’s Support-A-Week program. Employees of Wells Fargo also celebrated the week by volunteering to grocery shop for Store to Door clients, along with 60-75 other Portland-area volunteers.

Other companies who have committed to sponsor a day or week of grocery deliveries this year include AWS Elemental, Advantis Credit Union, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Daimler Trucks North America, and Dave’s Killer Bread. Store to Door’s program is made possible by a close partnership with Fred Meyer.

We would like to thank Wells Fargo or their continued support, and we are excited for the growing partnership!

Store to Door welcomes Brendan ffitch as our new Communications Specialist!

Brendan ffitch has been hired as Store to Door’s new Communications Specialist. Brendan joins Store to Door with 6 years of Graphic Design and Branding experience, bringing with him a passion for working with people and a penchant for clean, efficient, and effective communication design. Brendan first encountered Store to Door in 2013 through Hands on Portland when he helped Store to Door redesign and develop our current logo!

In 2014, working as a freelance designer, Brendan also began working in the Produce Department at Hollywood Fred Meyer. Shortly after, when Store to Door began shopping at the same location, Brendan was able to stay in contact with the program and follow its growth first hand.

Brendan was born and raised in Northeast Portland. He attended Lincoln High School across town, and studied Digital Art at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Brendan identifies more personally with Store to Door’s mission because of his close relationships with both his maternal and paternal Grandparents.

Brendan and his girlfriend Laura have a 6.5 month old daughter named Penelope, who enjoys burbling continuously and recently, learned how to clap. They spend their weekends with family, walking in the woods, doing puzzles, and going on day trips to the Oregon coast.

Oh, and yes, Brendan’s last name is spelled ‘ffitch,’ with two lower case f’s. He is keeping the tradition in its old English or Welsh origin.

Welcome aboard Brendan, we are happy to have you!

2nd annual Nourish to Flourish Gala raises $114,000!

What a night! Store to Door’s 2^nd annual Nourish to Flourish Gala raised $114,000 on Thursday, September 14, 2017. The Elysian Ballroom was bursting with 175 friends who played our very own version of the Price is Right game, bid lively on some amazing auction packages, and stepped up with generous donations.

The sponsors of Nourish to Flourish not only made this event possible, but they also help to carry out our service through our corporate volunteer program, and grocery and service partnerships.

We are thankful for such a dedicated (and fun!) community of supporters that allows us to further our mission to bring nourishment, connection and dignity to Portland’s homebound seniors and adults living with disabilities. We also deeply appreciate our clients, who are unable to attend events like this. Not only do they let us into their homes every week, they let us into their hearts and bring so much meaning to the work we do.

If you missed it, check out the video featuring one of our clients, Cathy, to learn more about what we do and click here to see the beautiful photographs from the night, compliments of Capturing Kismet.

Welcome Antonia Rangel-Caril, our new Volunteer & Outreach Manager!

Please join us in welcoming Antonia Rangel-Caril as Store to Door’s new Volunteer & Outreach Manager! She is a Portland native and graduated from Portland State University in 2015 with a degree in Community Health Education. She is bringing with her a wealth of experience from working with Partners for Hunger-Free Oregon (PHFO), where she comes highly recommended. She recently returned from the Peace Corps in Guyana where she volunteered as a Community Health Specialist. She has a personal connection to our mission and dedication to issues surrounding food security. Welcome, Antonia!

The 2017 Store to Door Extraordinary Awards Go To….

Each year Store to Door recognizes staff, board, volunteers, and community and corporate partners for the Store to Door Extraordinary Awards. Recipients are those who show a commitment to Store to Door in carrying out our mission of supporting independent living for Portland area seniors and people with disabilities. This year’s recipients go above and beyond, and have an immense impact on the work we do. Please join us in celebrating the following recipients of the 2017 Extraordinary Awards!

Sunshine Division receives the 2017 Extraordinary Community Partner award!

Kaiser Permanente receives the 2017 Extraordinary Corporate Partner award!

Wesley Wallis receives the 2017 Extraordinary Volunteer Grocery Shopper award!

Mary Thun receives the 2017 Extraordinary Volunteer Delivery Driver award!

Pat Tibbetts-Blair receives the 2017 Extraordinary Volunteer Order Taker award!

Amanda Olson receives the 2017 Extraordinary Staff Member award!

Marv Kuperstein receives the 2017 Extraordinary Board Member award!

Advantis Credit Union Sponsors Grocery Deliveries!

Advantis Credit Union sponsored a day of grocery delivery costs for over 80 homebound seniors and adults with disabilities on July 26th through Store to Door’s Support-A-Day program. Employees of Advantis Credit Union celebrated the day by volunteering to grocery shop for Store to Door clients, along with 30-40 other Portland-area volunteers.

Advantis Credit Union sponsored their first day of grocery deliveries in October 2016. In 2015, Store to Door received an Advantis Credit Union GROW Grant, which provided Store to Door 4 new phone and computer systems to use as call stations. Each week, these call stations are used by multiple volunteers to make personalized phone calls to home-bound seniors for taking grocery orders. This kind of support helps make Store to Door’s work possible.

Brandi Patterson, a Senior Commercial Loan Documentation Specialist shared that one of the aspects of the program she appreciates is that “[they] are shopping for the clients based on the specific lists they give vs. the volunteers buying some necessities that they think [the client] may need. Knowing that the clients are getting exactly what they need and want makes the work feel that much more satisfying.”

We thank Advantis Credit Union or their continued support over the past few years and we are excited for the growing partnership.