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!

Store To Door featured on the Blogunteer!

Store to Door was recently featured on the Blogunteer. The Blogunteer is a website that profiles different organizations that are strongly supported by volunteers, and also highlights some volunteer heroes. We're happy to be profiled among many great organizations!

You can check out the blog and see the Store To Door posting at the link below.

http://blogunteer.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/store-to-door/

Thanks to Stacy Pearson for profiling us!

St. Anthony shoppers needed for new Friday shift

Good morning!

In a few weeks, we will be adding another shopping day to our St. Anthony store, to accomodate the many new clients and ease some of the strain on our other stores. We are currently looking for new shoppers (or current shoppers who would be willing to add a day on a temporary basis) at the St. Anthony Cub store (3930 Silver Lake Road) on Fridays.

If interested, please let me know!

Store To Door is the January KTIS Difference Maker!

Throughout the month of January, Store To Door is highlighted by KTIS 98.5/Faith 900 in its KTIS Difference Maker programming and at www.ktis.fm.


An interview with Executive Director Mary Jo Schifsky was aired on two Saturday programs and, throughout the month, a short promotional spot is being run four times each day. In addition, Store To Door is featured as a Difference Maker on the KTIS website.
One of the nation’s largest Christian radio networks, KTIS operates on both the AM/FM band. The demographic comprising its audience tends to be a woman in her mid-40’s—who could be a Store To Door volunteer or a caregiver or neighbor to an aging adult in need of the Store To Door service.
“We are excited to get the word out about what God is doing through Store To Door via the 98.5 KTIS “Difference Maker” program, said Jennifer Anderson of KTIS. Over the past three years, KTIS has worked to identify and spotlight dozens of community services.
So far, we’ve heard from dozens of community members who’ve heard the ad; we’re so fortunate to have been selected for this promotion!

You can check it out here:
http://www.ktis.fm/2010/11/store-to-door/

Volunteer Nation Podcast

Good morning volunteers!

If you have some spare time in the next few weeks, take an hour to listen to a show that aired on MPR last week called "Volunteer Nation". Midmorning with Kerri Miller hosted the Executive Director of Idealist.org, the Project Manager at MAVA (Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration), and the Coordinator of Aging Services for Todd County.

It's an interesting discussion about volunteerism in Minnesota--who volunteers, the value of volunteers, and how volunteerism is changing.

You can listen to the show as a podcast by clicking here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/12/23/midmorning1/

A few pictures

 Here are a few pictures from the Maplewood Cub one early morning.

VOT's needed!

Between our radio ad on WCCO and this winter weather. We have had MANY new clients in the month of December. While we're grateful they've found Store To Door, we really need to train some new VOT's to catch up with the demand.

Please consider joining us for our next VOT training on Wednesday, January 19th at 6:00pm, at Holy Name of Jesus School in Wayzata. This is a new training location for us and hope it will be more convenient for potential volunteers in the west metro area.

Spread the word to friends and family about this opportunity. There aren't many opportunities to volunteer from the comfort of your home according to your schedule, so this is perfect for people with busy schedules!