Volunteer

Jean and Dick Collopy are long-time serving Shepherd’s Pantry volunteers who were introduced to the pantry by volunteers Russ and Joan Gebo.

During Thanksgiving week, Shepherd’s Pantry was in search for another volunteer with a truck to help with the Thanksgiving frozen turkeys pick up from the New Hampshire Food Bank. Dick had a truck that he was planning to trade in after his retirement, but decided to keep his truck and begin volunteering at Shepherd’s Pantry to complete various donation pick up’s and drop off’s. Jean played a key role in making client bags every Monday morning in the pantry kitchen, where there were always laughs and fun to be had.

The Collopy’s never met a volunteer they didn’t like and see Shepherds Pantry as an extended family. When COVID began, Jean took a step back from the pantry and Dick continued to volunteer on Monday Distributions until he became ill with COVID. Dick has since recovered and both he and Jean “think of volunteers every Monday morning.” After all, Shepherd’s Pantry operates rain or shine!

Thank you, Collopy Family, for your dedication and service with Shepherd’s Pantry!

(Photographed left to right: Jean Collopy and Dick Collopy)

Robin Heider is a current Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer who wears a plethora of hats. From being a “coffee lady” to meat and everything in between, Robin’s volunteer roles are on Monday Distribution Days and behind-the-scenes.

Before COVID, Robin was a “coffee lady” at the hospitality table with Dottie DiOrio, but she “always felt like she wanted to do more” at Shepherd’s Pantry. After COVID, Robin was interested in the meat distribution and wanted to help more when volunteers left during COVID. Today on Monday Distribution Days, Robin oversees the meat delivery, sorting, and bagging the meat for our clients. During the week and behind-the-scenes, Robin does a donation pick-up at Hannaford and brings the donation on Mondays for distribution.

“It’s been a joy working and I enjoy doing it!” – Robin Heider

Thank you, Robin, for your dedication to Shepherd’s Pantry, you are a rockstar!

Russ and Joan Gebo are former, long-time serving Shepherd’s Pantry volunteers for roughly 25 years. Joan became involved with Shepherd’s Pantry when she asked Shepherd’s Pantry co-founder, Sue Kling about volunteer work. Sue introduced them to Shepherd’s Pantry and Gebo’s volunteer adventure began! 

One of Russ’s duties was the New Hampshire Food Bank pick up, and he especially enjoyed it during Thanksgiving, when he would pick up the turkeys for the Thanksgiving distribution. Russ would also complete additional vendor pickups, such as Hannafords. One day, a Hannafords employee contacted Shepherd’s Pantry about a bread donation and Russ collected it. He spoke with the employees and emphasized how grateful both the pantry volunteers and its clients were for this donation. To this day, Shepherd’s Pantry receives weekly bread and pastry donations from generous vendors such as Hannafords.  

Joan has collaborated with a multitude of fellow volunteers and has always seen Shepherd’s Pantry as a warm, welcoming community. The comradery and sense of community amongst volunteers is what makes Shepherd’s Pantry. “The goodness of the volunteers who worked there and the people made the volunteering fun.” – Joan Gebo

Thank you, Gebo Family, for your dedication and service to Shepherd’s Pantry!

(Photographed left to right: Joan Gebo and Russ Gebo)

Dottie DiOrio. is a former, long-time Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer who learned about the food pantry from her friend, Lila Bailey. She greatly enjoyed volunteering on Monday mornings at the hospitality table and welcoming both fellow volunteers and clients as they arrived.

Despite not being a morning person, Dottie was always the first volunteer to arrive on Monday Distribution days with a vital job: to begin brewing the coffee at 6:30AM. She always had the coffee hot and Heav’nly Donuts prepared and ready for clients and volunteers alike!

“I was popular with clients and volunteers because I was the one with the coffee!” – Dottie DiOrio.

Thank you, Dottie, for your service and dedication to Shepherd’s Pantry!

Sixteen years ago, Larry Bisbee answered an ad in the newspaper looking for volunteers at a local food pantry. He had recently moved to the area and was looking for something to do in his new community.

“I didn’t know I’d be inheriting a family!” – Larry Bisbee

Larry is a current, long-time Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer and has enjoyed volunteer roles from arriving at pantry early to help prepare for Monday’s distribution to Refrigerator Rescue! One of Larry’s first volunteer duties was to search for refrigerator space and ice cream coolers to help store donations of frozen turkeys for the Thanksgiving distribution.

Thank you, Larry, for your dedication and service with Shepherd’s Pantry!

Suzie Noyles is a highly-valued, former Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer who greatly enjoyed collecting donations, especially at Mac’s Apples. She’s well-known for her quick wit and clever jokes, such as:

“Why is the Statue of Liberty’s arm 11 inches long?”
“Well, if it’s 12 inches, then it’d be a foot!”

Suzie has kept volunteers’ spirits high and has been an instrumental part of Shepherd’s Pantry for many years. “There’s so much work, but we still have fun doing it!” – Suzie Noyles

Thank you, Suzie, for your dedication and enthusiasm to Shepherd’s Pantry!