Become a SNAP volunteer!

Are you interested in getting to know your Store To Door clients better?

We're seeking a select small group of volunteers interested in helping clients sign up for SNAP (food support) benefits. Many of our current and potential clients are eligible for this support but need help signing up. Second Harvest Heartland will lead a training on Tuesday April 26th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Store To Door office. Volunteers will be trained to work one-on-one with current or new clients to enroll them for the SNAP benefit.

The SNAP application process is detailed, requiring patience and sensitivity to help our clients register. The commitment asked of SNAP volunteers is for a couple hours for the initial training and then a willingness to work more closely with clients (in their homes) to complete the paperwork, find and copy any necessary documents and then, work with the county on the client's behalf to become eligible. Following eligibility, the client would simply order every other week like other Store To Door clients. You could also continue your relationship with these clients as their Volunteer Order Taker if desired.

If you're interested in a deeper relationship with Store To Door clients and are willing to participate in this pilot effort, please contact us!

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