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.