Meet a Store To Door Customer: Jean

Jean
Interviewed by Toni, a wonderful Store To Door volunteer

When Toni called Jean to interview her, Jean was expecting the call and before Toni could fully introduce herself Jean exclaimed “I love it!” (referring to Store To Door).

Here is what Jean went on to share with Toni in their phone interview.

How long have you been with Store To Door? Only a few months

What made you decide to use Store To Door? Without Store To Door, me and my husband Paul would be in a senior assisted living. We are too young for that! (Jean and her husband are 85 and 87) I feel that these are wonderful places, but I love where we live now - in downtown Minneapolis, in a 13th floor apartment with floor to ceiling windows, overlooking Peavy Plaza and 13 minutes from her daughter.

Store to Door has kept us independent.

How did you find out about Store To Door? We were told about Store To Door from a representative at one of the places which they are on a waiting list for. By God's grace, we found Store To Door.

Before we signed up for Store To Door, we were very concerned because my husband is ill and my eyesight is failing which means neither of us can drive.

How long have you lived in the Twin Cities? We moved up here 5 ½ years ago to follow our daughter and son-in-law. We came from Chicago and before that, Ohio.

Tell us about your family: We have 2 daughters and 1 son. 1 daughter lives in the Twin Cities and owns an art gallery downtown Minneapolis http://www.ninabliesegallery.com/.

What is your favorite grocery item? I try to use organics as much as possible.

What is your favorite meal to cook? Coconut Curry. I love to cook, however, I am finding it harder to do so as my eyesight is failing and my feet hurt - plus it takes time away from my darling husband, Paul.

Any wisdom to pass along to others? My secret to marriage is you don’t have to necessarily like the same things as your spouse - we don't like the same TV shows - but we both appreciate the beauty of our life, that’s what’s important.
(Interviewer Note: She spoke so endearing and lovingly about her husband of 65 years).

Jean’s take on Store To Door:
I love the volunteers at Store To Door as well as Eric, the wonderful staff grocery deliverer. “Eric is a kind gentleman. He brings our groceries in to the kitchen and offers to help any way he can.”

About Jean and her husband Paul:
Jean has a Masters in art history. She met the love of her life, Paul, while he was stationed as an officer in Virginia. She and a girlfriend decided to go to Washington for the summer. They met and were married 3 months later. Jean dedicated her life to raising their three children who all also went on to get their Masters. She has spent time volunteering at local hospitals but spent her last 28 volunteering years walking the marble floors of museums as a docent.


Thank you Jean for allowing us to learn about you and Toni for taking the time to interview such a wonderful member of our Twin Cities community.
Molly- Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Profile - Jamie with Lifeworks

Date: 5/12/09

1. What is your Store To Door role/s? Assisting with loading groceries into the carts and into the vans to be delivered.

2. How long have you been with Store To Door? How did you first hear about Store To Door? My organization has been apart of Store To Door for a couple of years, but I personally have only been involved for a couple of months. Through my organization.

3. What is your favorite thing about Store To Door? Knowing that we are giving back to the community.

4. If you could only eat 5 things for the rest of your life what would they be? Chips and Salsa, Rice, Sushi, and Veggies.

5. What is the most interesting item you have seen in a customer order? An unknown off brand name for Fritos.

6. Share a story or comment about one of your favorite people you have met through Store To Door: We like John the driver, he is very nice and so helpful.

7. When you aren’t promoting senior nutrition and volunteering, what are you up to Finding other ways to volunteer and give back to the community.

8. What has surprised you most about volunteering with Store To Door? How dedicated the volunteers are and how consistent they are.

9. Describe Store To Door with 5 words: Caring, Helpful, Giving Back, Respectful.

Volunteer Feel Goods

Store To Door depends on volunteers to take most of our almost 1,000 customer's orders as well as shop all of them. They are detail oriented and enthusiastic! Volunteers do such wonderful work at Store To Door and here's proof! :) Thank you volunteers!

Results from a recent customer survey:
"I am very satisfied with the service I am getting This program is a lifesaver for me"
Client - May 2009

"I am grateful for the Store To Door service. I could not get along without it"
Client - May 2009

"Your service from every aspect is perfect."
Client - May 2009

I appreciate your service. The caring professional attitude of everyone involved! Thank you
Client - May 2009

Volunteer Profile - Stephanie

What is your Store To Door role/s?
Office Assistant. I provide database management, including updating and maintaining records. I also help with general office tasks (mailings, newsletters, etc). I have provided some marketing assistance in regards to the online web presence and volunteer opportunities.

How long have you been with Store To Door? How did you first hear about Store To Door?
I have been here since February 2009. I first heard about Store To Door through a website, volunteermatch.org.

What is your favorite thing about Store To Door?
The variety of tasks and jobs that always keep on coming. There is never a dull or boring moment, and I like keeping busy! It’s even better when you know it is for a very good cause.

If you could only eat 5 things for the rest of your life what would they be?
Pickles, pizza, ham sandwiches, Dill Pickle chips, and chicken.

Share a story or comment about one of your favorite people you have met through Store To Door:
I love Molly’s (Volunteer Coordinator) positive attitude. She is always so enthusiastic and welcoming – it makes this a really great place to come in and volunteer when I get to work directly with her.

When you aren’t promoting senior nutrition and volunteering, what are you up to?
I am usually either working at my internship… or I am at class at the University of St. Thomas, working towards my degree in Marketing (one semester left!) Otherwise, I enjoy spending time with my friends. I love going on long walks and exploring new places. I also enjoy the outdoors immensely, so in the summer- that’s where you will find me!

What has surprised you most about volunteering with Store To Door?
The wide client base Store To Door has. I was surprised because prior to finding it on a volunteer website, I had not heard of Store To Door before. So it’s great to see how many people use these services, and even better that expansion is an option!

Describe Store To Door with 5 words:
Awesome food delivery for the elderly!
(I know, its 6 words…)

Speed Volunteer Recruitment?!

Store to Door was involved in a new and innovative volunteer recruitment event on Tuesday, April 28th, at the Ridgedale Library. The format was similar to speed dating, with the representative of each organization having a 5-minute time period to talk with each prospective volunteer. Volunteers rotated around the room, so they got to spend the allotted time with each organization. A loud timer signaled when to begin and when the five minutes were up, so those of us who are a little “long-winded” had to keep it under control. It was a bit tiring talking to so many people one right after the other, but overall the system worked well. I got to meet with over 30 potential new Store to Door volunteers. Following the event, organizations and volunteers were matched based on their respective evaluations so that follow-up meetings could be scheduled.

Thank you to the Ridgedale Library staff for organizing this interesting event. It gave us another chance to get the word out about Store to Door and talk about our Grocery Shopper and Volunteer Order Taker openings.

Susan S. - Outreach Committee Member and Office Volunteer
Store To Door