Volunteer Spotlight: John Cushing

This month, we caught up with long-time Store to Door volunteer John Cushing—aka Grandpa John! A fixture on delivery days at our Hollywood location, Grandpa John has been delivering to Store to Door Clients since 2012, and has logged more than 800 hours of service in that time! We are so grateful for the indelible impact that John has had on the Store to Door community, and for the impact he has on clients he delivers to!

Q: How did you first get involved with S2D?
A: I first learned about Store to Door at a Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Square in 2012. I deliver for Store to Door on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. I deliver food boxes from the Open Bible Church food pantry to people in Gresham and Troutdale; this program is also run by Store to Door. On Mondays, I volunteer at Oregon Humane Society.

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I play music with a small group of people and I am also currently rehearsing with the Portland Megaband for a concert in March. I read books and play chess and Yahtzee on the Internet. On Thursdays, my grandchildren come to visit and we have dinner together.

Q: Any favorite dish you made or local favorite restaurants you got delivery from during the pandemic?
A: We order Thai food from Thai Seasons every now and then.

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I would tell someone who is thinking of Volunteering with Store to Door that it is an excellent opportunity to develop a sense of gratitude, as well as a connection to other people. It reinforces the concept that everyone can be of service in some way.

Thank you Grandpa John!

Volunteer Spotlight: Dana Taylor

This month, we had the chance to catch up with Store to Door Volunteer Dana Taylor! Since connecting with our program in April of 2021, Dana has stepped up to support our homebound clients in multiple roles, including volunteer shopping at both stores as well as calling clients as a volunteer order taker.

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
A: In the spring of 2021, I was looking for a new opportunity to support the community and safely connect with new people. Food and nourishment are two of my greatest passions and I love to grocery shop, so Store to Door’s mission and vision seemed like a great fit.

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I am currently a nutrition student at the University of Alabama (via distance learning), studying to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. My interests include community nutrition, culinary nutrition, food as medicine, and overall well-being. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time in the kitchen fitting as many vegetables as possible in my favorite comfort foods, baking, reading about health, and yoga. I am a long-time volunteer with the Oregon Farmers Markets Association (OFMA) which supports farmers’ markets and fresh food affordability across the state.

Q: What is something that your fellow volunteers would be surprised to know about you?
A: A more fun tidbit is that I have a longtime love of movies and entertainment culture. I grew up in a family where movies played a big role in our quality time together, and I still love getting lost in a great story.

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?
A: What makes Store to Door truly unique is its people. Every single person I have met and worked with is exceptionally kind, friendly, helpful, and dedicated. Becoming a volunteer in the pandemic has its unique challenges, but the team has made this such a rewarding opportunity.

Volunteer Spotlight: Barbra and Lynda Bader

This month, we caught up with Barbra and Lynda Bader, who connected with Store to Door in 2019, and have since given more than 180 hours of volunteer time each! We are so glad to have the ‘Bader Babes’ (Their own nickname!) as a part of the Store to Door community, and thank them for their deep commitment to our clients and our mission!

Q: How did you hear about Store to Door?
A: Our friend, Diane, has volunteered with Store to Door for many years. She used to tell us stories about the time she spent talking to clients, taking their orders, and shopping. We were both looking for new volunteer opportunities, so we decided to give shopping for Store-to-Door a try. We were so impressed with the organization and its people that Lynda decided to volunteer as an order taker and friendly caller.

Q: Barbra, you are a regular shopping at Beaverton – what keeps you coming back?
A: Knowing what a vital service Store-to-Door provides and the incredible, fun, and welcoming team of staff members that I get to work with is also a compelling reason. Every week is different, and I look forward to the ‘treasure hunt’ of finding the often hard-to-find items on clients’ orders.

Q: Lynda, as an order taker, what do you enjoy most about calling our clients every week?
A: The clients are so appreciative of Store-to-Door’s service. My clients encompass a wide range of financial and physical circumstances. Still, every one of them has said several times that they don’t know what they would do without the opportunity to get the groceries they want and to change up their requests as their food and moods change.

Q: What does being a Store to Door volunteer mean to you?
A: From Lynda: I look forward to my Monday calls and know that my folks look forward to hearing from me, too. Often the order-taking is secondary to the relationships we’re building.

Q: What is a fun fact about your sister?
A: Lynda is a breast cancer survivor; shortly before her diagnosis, she became involved with Breast Friends. Lynda is in charge of the annual golf tournament to raise funds to provide resources and support individuals going through breast and ovarian cancer.
A: Barbra has been a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society for 30+ years. Several years ago, she was presented with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Collet

This month, we caught up with Mary Collet, who has been taking orders from Store to Door Clients since 2015! We are excited to recognize Mary for her longtime commitment to serving our homebound clients, and for giving more than 318 hours of her time since signing up as an order taker!

Q: You’ve been a Store to Door Volunteer since 2015. How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
A: I met Store to Door shoppers at my local Fred Meyer and found out how to apply for a spot. Calling was perfect for me as it didn’t involve driving.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you, you’d like to share?
A: I was fortunate to work at the Moffett Field NASA facility during the first trips to the moon. Our job was to determine the safest landing site with the least volcanic dust. (Really dates me) Also, my husband and I spent 10 years as dragon boat paddlers w the senior team Portland Golden Dragons. We traveled to San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Victoria and sometimes we even won!

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?
A: If you are thinking of making calls for Store to Door, you are in for a rewarding experience. Our clients tend to be most interesting and also inspirational.

Volunteer Spotlight: Penny Dodge

This month, we caught up with Store to Door Volunteer Penny Dodge! Since 2017, Penny has logged more than 700 hours in support of our program and our homebound clients, as a Volunteer Shopper, Checker, and Delivery Driver!

Q: How did you first get involved with S2D?
A: After retiring, I moved back to Portland and volunteered with several organizations. I really resonated with the mission of Store to Door – to support the ability of people to maintain their independence at home with dignity. In addition to meeting the needs of clients, it’s also social and rewarding for the volunteers.

It’s been particularly rewarding during the pandemic when there has been so much disruption in the supply chain. Clients have commented that Store to Door provides a more personalized service to help find substitutions and alternatives than services like Instacart and Amazon.

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with S2d? (job, hobby, family, pets)
A: I enjoy cooking with friends, hiking, playing golf, and classic movies. I have visited six Wonders of the World. This fall I began making wine.

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: I worked on Capitol Hill as the Chief of Staff to a member of Congress for 30 years.

Q: Is there a moment or memory that stands out from your volunteer experience?
A: I started as a volunteer in the Hollywood Fred Meyer and had the opportunity to volunteer alongside Jean Pierce, a long-time Store to Door volunteer. Jean was in her 90’s and showed up every week to shop for other seniors to help them maintain their independence at home. She was a true inspiration for me!

Q: What advice would you have for someone thinking of volunteering with us?
A: Being a volunteer for Store to Door has been a very rewarding experience. As a shopper, each week I talk to clients about their orders who express their gratitude for the services provided by Store to Door and the efforts of the amazing volunteers. As a driver who delivers groceries to clients, I see first-hand how important S2D is to helping clients maintain their independence at home.

Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Jones

This Month, we had a chance to interview Barbara Jones, who has given more than 374 hours with Store to Door since joining as a Volunteer Order Taker and Friendly Caller in April 2020!

Q: You volunteer as a Friendly Caller and Order Taker. What do you enjoy the most about each program?

A: I especially enjoy the little extra conversations I have with my clients when taking their grocery order. Being a Friendly Caller, I noticed our clients really enjoy the extra check-in and are always so happy to have received their groceries. I have been able to offer contact information for community resources (food box request) to a few and they really appreciate that.

Q: Do you have a fun story to share about your volunteer experience with us?

A: I had the opportunity to ‘shop’ for our customers last fall and I really enjoyed that part of the process. I have learned a lot from conversations with S2D customers….political views, memories shared, there is always a story to listen to!

Q: What makes this volunteer experience a meaningful use of your time?

A: I look forward to my weekly interaction with a wide variety of S2D customers

Q: Besides S2D, what other organizations do you volunteer with?

A: I am active in my church’s women’s group. I especially enjoy the quilters group. We finish-off quilt toppers and once a year send them to countries in need. I am a member of my local P.E.O. Chapter. We assist women with their educational goals through grants.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?

A: I’ve been playing bridge for over 50 years. I retired from Sears after 31, starting part-time in the shoe dept., and retiring in Human Resources. I’m known for saying ‘what’s next’?

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?

A: It’s a rewarding opportunity and very enjoyable. You will receive great help from the S2D staff. It’s a program I wish we had in Central Oregon for our seniors.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Berry

This month, we caught up with Store to Door Volunteer Delivery Driver Mike Berry! Mike joined Store to Door as a Delivery Driver April 2020, and has delivered every single week since! In addition to his capacity as a Volunteer Delivery Driver, Mike has served as Store to Door’s Healthcare Advisor with Aldrich Advisors.

Q: You started with Store to Door at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Why did you initially decide to volunteer with Store to Door?
A: A work colleague, who had volunteered with Store to Door, told me about the huge need for help due to the impacts of the pandemic on not only our customers, but also many of our volunteers. I read about the program and thought it sounded like a great opportunity to ‘temporarily’ pitch in to help the community in a time of need. Well, ‘temporarily’ has ended up being well over a year and I welcome my Wednesday morning delivery shift!

Q: What is the most rewarding part of volunteering with Store to Door?
A: Hands down, knowing that Store to Door has provided consistency and compassion to our customers during these difficult times. Not just assuring that they have access to groceries and other important items, but also being able to spend a few minutes on a personal level checking in and just spending some visiting.

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: For almost 13 years, I’ve been a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, the 2nd largest fire district in Oregon.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that you’d like to share?
A: On June 19th, I became a grandfather! My daughter and son-in-law welcomed Mila Rose into our family! My wife and I were able to pop down to San Diego to meet Mila in person over the 4th of July weekend and she’s a doll!

Q: What advice would you give to a new Store to Door Volunteer?
A: A couple things: 1. Don’t be afraid to ask Store to Door staff questions. Every one of them is so helpful and will help you feel more comfortable with your role; 2. Remember you may be one of a very few people that your customer has a chance to talk with in person and share their life with. Take a few minutes to just listen…it means the world to them!

Volunteer Spotlight: Swirtty Mae Nibley

This month, we caught up with Swirtty Mae Nibley, who has been a regular Store to Door shopper at Hollywood Fred Meyer since 2014! In addition to being a longtime Store to Door superhero, Swirtty has an alter ego as an accomplished singer and showbiz personality!

Q:How did you first learn about Store to Door? What keeps you coming back?
A: I first learned about Store to Door through Facebook! One of the main reasons I keep coming back to Store to Door is I love helping! It’s like my heart, mind and body is used to helping. If I don’t help it’s like my week is not complete. Then of course I want to see the Store to Door family! And to see any new friends that I recently made.

Q: Do you have a shopping pro-tip to share with our newer volunteers?
A: The tip that I can share to our new volunteers is to enjoy what you’re doing and expect to be challenged! Help doing grocery can aid in protecting your mental and physical health. 😉 Every week that I’m helping, I learned a lot, there’s a lot of food and things that I didn’t even know existed!

Q: What is one of your favorite Store to Door experiences?
A: One of my most unforgettable and favorite experiences helping at Store to Door was, I think it was before COVID-19 came, Fred Meyer suddenly decided to change everything at the store! When I say everything it’s like every aisle that we’re used to go, were not as we knew! We didn’t know where to start or where to go! 😂 Both volunteers and Fred Meyer employees had to talk to each other a lot more in order to get the job done.

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I am taking care of my elderly grandpa! ❤️ Before I used to do singing engagements. But because of COVID-19 a lot of events have been canceled. For now I just practice my singing at home, clean the house, do gardening, attending virtual class and I’m learning how to cook new dishes.

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: In the showbiz world my stage name is Sophia Montecarlo, I started singing at the age of 3. My first television appearance was when I was 11 years old. I also performed in a reality show in the Philippines, I competed at the World Championship of Performing Arts held in Los Angeles and won several medals. I earned the title of Kumoricon Idol in 2019 and still retain the title due to COVID-19 canceling the event for year 2020. Now I’m one of Portland’s local singers! One of my favorite local events is the Jade Night Market. ❤️

www.sophiamontecarlo.com
www.facebook.com/sophiamontecarlo

Volunteer Spotlight: Anne McAlpin

This month, we reached out to regular Store to Door Volunteer Shopper Anne McAlpin! In addition to being a fixture on shopping days at our Beaverton location, Anne is a AAA Travel expert and Author—you can find her on Instagram @PackitupwithAnne, or pick up her book Pack it Up: The Essential Guide to Smart Travel!

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
A: When COVID began – and travel stopped – I asked a friend about volunteering opportunities – she recommended Store to Door.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Store to Door?
A: Working with the other volunteers and calling the clients – they are always so appreciative.

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?
A: Antiquing – I love collecting vintage suitcases and trunks – the stories they could tell!

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: Growing up our family raised Scottish Highland Cattle.

Q: What are you looking forward to most when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted?
A: Getting together with family and friends and eating fish and chips on the Oregon Coast!

Q: What is your favorite thing about traveling?
A: Meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and eating great food.

Q: What’s your favorite place so far?
A: Can I have two? Italy and Jordan.

Q: Which country has the friendliest people?
A: Ireland!

Q: What’s your top travel tip?
A: No matter how long you’ll be traveling, pack for a week and do laundry. For handwash – turn a gallon size Ziploc bag into a mini-washing machine.

Volunteer Spotlight: Michael Riter

This month, we are excited to spotlight one of our long term Volunteer Delivery Drivers, Michael Riter. Michael has been a Volunteer Driver with Store to Door since 2015, delivering out of our Hollywood Fred Meyer location!

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
A: Most of my volunteer career has centered around food and food insecurity. Store to Door was a perfect fit for me.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I have enjoyed building long term relationships with my clients that I serve. It has been fun to find the shared experiences that we all have in common.

Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: That I have traveled throughout the United States and Europe, visiting the worlds greatest concert halls and listening to the finest symphony orchestras in the world.

Q: With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted what are you most looking forward to?
A: TRAVEL! TRAVEL! TRAVEL!

Q: Do you have advice for someone who is considering volunteering with Store to Door?
A: If you enjoy grocery shopping, working and helping people to meet their food needs and requirements, and having a predictable weekly volunteer routine and schedule, Store To Door is the place to spend your volunteer time. Most rewarding!