Volunteer

Carol Murphy first learned about Shepherd’s Pantry through her late neighbors and friends, Bob and Mary Ashburn. As longtime Shepherd’s Pantry volunteers, they often shared stories about the pantry and the wonderful people involved. After retiring from a high-tech marketing career she loved for 32 years, Carol felt called to give back and found her home at Shepherd’s Pantry.

She became our beloved “milk and eggs girl”, a role she still fills today with enthusiasm and a smile. Carol loves working alongside the caring volunteers and says the teamwork and dedication of everyone involved keeps her coming back week after week. “We’ve been blessed in life and giving back to others is so important. Find the passion and help give back, because it’s so rewarding.” – Carol Murphy

A member of St. Matthew’s Parish for 25 years, Carol feels deeply connected to the mission of feeding those in need and considers volunteering at Shepherd’s Pantry a true calling. Carol, thank you for your kindness, dedication, and generous spirit. We are so grateful to have you as part of the Shepherd’s Pantry family!

Paul McKenna’s journey to Shepherd’s Pantry began through his volunteer work with Sonshine Soup Kitchen, where he connected with Bob Richards. Bob introduced Paul to Shepherd’s Pantry, and after a quick phone call, Paul didn’t hesitate and jumped right in, starting with weekly meat pickups at Hannaford. Not long after, he joined the Monday Distribution Day team where he’s been a steady and valued presence ever since.

After retiring at the end of 2019, Paul was eager to give back more of his time. With a remarkable 47-year career as an engineer, Paul brings both dedication and a strong work ethic to everything he does.

At the pantry, Paul wears many hats. On Mondays, you’ll find him as a “pusher,” helping move food along the distribution line, or stepping in wherever needed, often at the bread or deli stations. He also makes early morning pickups from Shaw’s, collecting meat and frozen baked goods. His willingness to jump in wherever needed keeps things running smoothly for both volunteers and the families we serve.

Paul shared what makes volunteering at Shepherd’s Pantry so special to him: “It’s a place where you can connect to help people in need to make their lives better.”

Paul, thank you for your commitment, positivity, and the heart you bring to Shepherd’s Pantry each week. We are so lucky to have you as part of our volunteer family!

If you know Roger Toupin, you know family means everything to him. As Toupin #13 in a family that now includes at least 134 members, Roger brings that same deep sense of connection and care to Shepherd’s Pantry.

A longtime member of St. Matthew’s Church for over 40 years, Roger first began supporting the Pantry through donations. After retiring in 2020, his wife, Sue (Toupin #33), “volunteered” him for Monday distributions and we’re so grateful she did! Since joining Shepherd’s Pantry in September 2024, Roger faithfully picks up frozen meat, fresh produce, and other items from our warehouse, delivers them to the Windham Presbyterian Church for distribution, and returns any remaining items afterward. Through his family business, Toupin Rigging, he even helped transport large equipment donations for our warehouse.

Roger says it best: “It’s always nice to be able to help someone in need. It’s a great group of people.”

As one of our beloved “Professional Delivery Persons,” Roger (like many of our volunteers!) has a grandparent’s heart; always making sure families, especially children, receive a little extra care. We’re so thankful for Roger’s steady hands, generous spirit, and the love he shares with our Shepherd’s Pantry community each week.

Anne Bauer began volunteering in 1999, after learning about Shepherd’s Pantry through St. Matthew Church. From early BJ’s pickups and stocking freezers to warmly greeting clients each Monday, Anne treasures the connections she makes along the way.

“I love saying hello to everyone and hearing how they’re doing. Shepherd’s Pantry is such a gift – a place filled with love, connection, and kindness. I carry the people we serve in my prayers every day.” – Anne Bauer

Her daughter, Marianne Bauer-Condon, grew up volunteering alongside her mom during school breaks and summers, pushing carts, loading cars, and praying together with volunteers and clients. Inspired by the Shepherd’s Pantry’s mission, Marianne went on to become a physician, carrying that same heart for service into her work.

“Shepherd’s Pantry showed me the power of serving others and truly listening to their stories. Being part of a community that cares so deeply has stayed with me throughout my life.” – Marianne Bauer-Condon

Today, Anne and Marianne still volunteer together when they can, and Marianne’s growing family proudly supports Shepherd’s Pantry through service days and the annual Windham Turkey Trot, sharing the joy of giving with the next generation.

We are so grateful for Anne and Marianne, and for families like theirs who make Shepherd’s Pantry a true community of love and care.

Photographed left to right: Anne Bauer and Marianne Bauer-Condon

Jenna Marquis’ heart for giving back was shaped early on, growing up familiar with food pantries and the vital role they play in supporting families. After settling in Windham with her husband over 12 years ago, she began volunteering with Shepherd’s Pantry in 2017, helping whenever she could. Her first role was assisting with Monday Distribution Day, handing out non-perishable and boxed foods to clients.

As Jenna married and welcomed her two daughters, she stepped back from Shepherd’s Pantry for a brief time. When the timing felt right and her children returned to school full-time, Jenna jumped back in, ready to give in a new way.

Today, she plays a vital behind-the-scenes role collecting the weekly Hannaford meat pickup, helping ensure our clients have access to fresh, nutritious food. The flexibility of this role allows her to volunteer independently or bring along her daughters, teaching them kindness and service along the way.

Beyond her weekly support, Jenna has also helped with community outreach by distributing Annual Windham Turkey Trot flyers to local businesses and assisting with donation pickups.

“It warms my heart to see the community come together,” Jenna shares. She believes families should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from and loves the welcoming spirit of the pantry. “Everyone is so happy to be helping others, it’s truly a joyful place to be.”

We are so grateful for Jenna and the heart she brings to Shepherd’s Pantry. Thank you, Jenna, for your generosity and support!

This month, Shepherd’s Pantry is honored to remember two extraordinary volunteers and dear friends of our community, Robert “Bob” Ashburn and Mary Ashburn. Though both have passed, their kindness, generosity, and steady devotion continue to shape the heart of the Pantry today.

One of Bob’s weekly jobs was picking up pastries from a local bakery and delivering them to Shepherd’s Pantry early Monday morning, ensuring our clients had fresh treats to enjoy on distribution day. Fellow volunteer and close friend, Bob Terranova, remembers joining him on these Sunday pickups:

“I didn’t even know Bob was my neighbor until we met at Shepherd’s Pantry. I’d help him pick up the pastries, and the smell was so delicious. He always called the pantry volunteers his family.”

This weekly act of service became the beginning of a deep friendship. Bob Ashburn and Bob Terranova bonded not only through volunteering, but also through gardening and spending time together as neighbors. Their connection was built on shared values of generosity, humility, and warm-hearted service; qualities that defined Bob and Mary’s life together.

Mary, remembered for her kind spirit and quiet strength, was equally devoted to helping others. Together, Bob and Mary lived a life rooted in compassion. They were known for giving generously of themselves, always looking for ways to support their community and uplift those in need. Their love for Shepherd’s Pantry was genuine and enduring.

“Bob and Mary were such giving people and loved Shepherd’s Pantry,” Bob Terranova shared.

Today, we honor the Ashburn’s for the countless ways they enriched Shepherd’s Pantry and the lives of everyone around them. Their legacy lives on in the friendships they formed, the food they helped deliver, and the warmth they brought to every volunteer shift.

To their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them, thank you for sharing Bob and Mary with us. Their memory continues to inspire the spirit of service that makes Shepherd’s Pantry a special place.

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight is celebrating Larry Sarkozy, who’s been volunteering with Shepherd’s Pantry for over 20 years!

Larry first joined through his late wife, Regina, and once he started, he never stopped. For Larry, volunteering is simple: “It’s good to help and help those in need.” He deeply appreciates the wonderful group of people who make up the Shepherd’s Pantry community.

“Everyone is here for the same reason: to help others.” – Larry Sarkozy

Rain or shine, you can count on Larry to show up with a smile and a helping hand.

Over the years, Larry has done it all! From helping clients on Mondays as a cart pusher, to making monthly runs to the NH Food Bank and local stores like Shaw’s and Hannaford, to stepping in as traffic control and greeting everyone with his trademark warmth.

A proud Italian and longtime Windham resident, Larry loves connecting with people and giving back to the community he’s called home since 1975.

Thank you, Larry, for your kindness, dedication, and two decades of service. Shepherd’s Pantry is a brighter place because of you!

We are thrilled to celebrate our former volunteer, Betty Donovan, who recently reached the incredible milestone of 100 years!

Instead of gifts at her surprise birthday celebration, guests were asked to bring donations for Shepherd’s Pantry. Thanks to their generosity, Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer, Lauri Putnam, delivered a car full of donations to support our neighbors in need.

Betty discovered Shepherd’s Pantry through her friend, Laura Marcille, and immediately loved volunteering. She cherished the people she worked with and the families she met, noting how the pantry is a space where people can share challenges, find support, and experience true camaraderie. Her daughter, Donna Maroon, shared:

“She loved meeting families and knowing they were not alone. In addition to food, people were offered friendship and support.”

Betty herself said: “The food pantry offered food, supplies, and friendship. It will always have a very special place in my heart.”

A nurse by profession, Betty felt proud knowing that families in need had access to good food and support. Her dedication, kindness, and heart for helping others have left a lasting impact on Shepherd’s Pantry and everyone who has had the pleasure to work alongside her.

Join us in celebrating Betty Donovan and her century of kindness!

The September Volunteer Spotlight posthumously celebrates a special Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer: Lila Bailey.

Lila Bailey, who passed away in 2020, was one of Shepherd’s Pantry’s first volunteers, and from the beginning she poured her heart into the Pantry. She loved being a cart pusher, calling it her “Cadillac,” because it let her connect with clients while getting in her exercise. She invited friends from daily Mass to join her, played piano for the Windham School Choir, and was always ready with a smile and a kind word. For Lila, volunteering wasn’t just something she did, it was who she was.

Her family remembers her dedication and joy in everything she touched. She signed every card “LOL” (her version of “Lots of Love”), a tradition her family continues today.

Her granddaughter, Melanie Gendron, shared: “Volunteering at the Pantry kept my grandmother young. Routine and schedule were very important to her, and Shepherd’s Pantry was a keystone part of her life. Anything she did, she was all in and completely dedicated.”

Her daughter, Kathy Boylan, added: “My mom believed you had to practice what you preach, and the Pantry gave her a way to do that. She loved the friendships she made here and the community she was part of. It was such an important part of her life.”

Even Lila’s great-grandson, after getting his license, went straight to his beloved “Ya Ya’s” grave to tell her about his accomplishments, because that’s the kind of lasting impact Lila had on her family and on all who knew her.

All of us at Shepherd’s Pantry miss Lila dearly, but her spirit of generosity, kindness, and laughter continue to inspire us every day.

LOL, Lila. Lots of Love. Always.

We are especially grateful to Kathy and Melanie for sharing these cherished memories with us, and for carrying on her beautiful legacy.

At 86 years young, Bob Terranova shows us that kindness never ages. His journey to volunteering began with a promise he and his late wife made years ago: if they were ever in a position to give back, they would, through both donations and time.

After moving to New Hampshire, Bob saw a note in the St. Matthew’s Church bulletin looking for volunteers at Shepherd’s Pantry. It felt like the right opportunity to connect with his new community and continue living out his promise.

Since then, Bob has been a dedicated part of our team, always willing to step in wherever help is needed. What keeps him coming back is the sense of community, teamwork, and kindness shared by volunteers and clients alike.

“In the Bible it asks, ‘Who is your neighbor?’ To me, your neighbor is the next person who walks through the door.” – Bob Terranova

Bob also credits fellow volunteer and Shepherd’s Pantry President, Laurie Johnson, with teaching him one of Shepherd’s Pantry’s greatest lessons: never judge. “You don’t know what someone else is going through, everyone deserves kindness.” – Bob Terranova

Thank you, Bob, for your warmth, dedication, and kindness. You remind us why all of this work matters.

Karen Kroeter is a friendly and familiar face at Shepherd’s Pantry for over 11 years! After being widowed and retiring, Karen was looking for a way to give back. She saw a notice in St. Matthew’s Church bulletin and showed up one Monday morning and has been part of the Shepherd’s Pantry family ever since.

Karen began by picking up and sorting donations, even helping organize our shelves by expiration date! Today, she’s one of the smiling faces who checks in clients during distribution. Her warm greetings, even in a bit of French with one special client, show just how deeply she connects with those we serve. “It’s a lot of smiles,” Karen says, “and it warms both our hearts.”

With deep roots in Windham and fond memories of summers at Cobbett’s Pond, Karen brings love for the community into everything she does. “I have been blessed in so many ways,” she says. “It is a joy to give back.”

We’re so grateful for Karen’s kindness, consistency, and the warmth she shares with everyone at Shepherd’s Pantry! Thank you for your generosity and dedication!

After retiring roughly 5 years ago, Len Snell heard from friends in the Knights of Columbus about Shepherd’s Pantry. With a truck and a big heart, he showed up one Monday morning and never looked back.

His first day, Suzie Noyles welcomed him with, “You’ve got to have a sense of humor to work here!” That set the tone. From pushing carts to fixing nearly everything that breaks (including most of the wheels on our carts!), Len’s become essential behind the scenes and has earned the nickname, “Mr. Fix-It”!

As a former hockey coach, Len brings his motto “skate to the open ice” to life on Monday Distribution Days: if a need appears, he steps in to help. Whether sorting and handing out produce, repairing the freezer, or parking cars at the Annual Windham Turkey Trot, Len is all in. “It’s a great family of workers,” he says. “Everyone jumps in where they’re needed.”

With roots on a vegetable farm, Len’s right at home choosing the freshest produce at the NH Food Bank—and maybe discovering a new veggie or two along the way!

Len, we’re so thankful for your hard work, heart, and humor. Shepherd’s Pantry runs better because of you!

Beth Straub is a dedicated volunteer who’s been a cherished part of Shepherd’s Pantry for over 20 years! Beth first saw a call for volunteers on a flyer at St. Matthew’s Church in the early 2000’s and felt inspired to get involved in her local community. Since then, she’s been a consistent, compassionate presence every Monday on Distribution Day.

Beth began by picking up essentials like diapers and paper goods, and even braved the chilly meat pickups. Today, she’s lovingly known as the “Bag Lady”, a title she wears with pride, as she gathers grocery bags from the warehouse and distributes them at Windham Presbyterian Church.

Beth treasures the camaraderie among the volunteers and the warm connections she’s built with clients over the years. She says, “All volunteers are family who work together, and it’s a wonderful experience.” We’re so grateful for Beth’s heart and unwavering commitment. She plans to keep volunteering for as long as she can and Shepherd’s Pantry is lucky to have her. Thank you for your dedication and service to Shepherd’s Pantry!

Noreen Gallo’s journey with Shepherd’s Pantry began when her family moved to Windham. Having always admired the work of community food pantries, she was inspired by her parents, who were involved with St. Vincent’s on the Cape. Noreen knew she wanted to contribute in a similar way once she settled in Windham.

Though she and her husband were busy raising four boys and she began her own business, Your Forever Nutrition Counseling, Noreen’s passion for community service never wavered. When she learned about Shepherd’s Pantry, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to give back.

Today, Noreen volunteers on Monday Distribution Days, where she plays a vital role in sorting vegetable and fresh produce donations for clients. She truly loves helping others and feels strongly about ensuring everyone has access to healthy food.

As Noreen says, “I love helping people and feel strongly about people having access to food.”

In addition to her volunteer work, Noreen and her son, Ben, have participated in the Windham Turkey Trot every year since they stopped traveling on Thanksgiving Day. This annual fundraiser for Shepherd’s Pantry is a special way for them to enjoy family time while giving back to their community. Below is a favorite photo of Noreen and Ben as their prepared to run at the Windham Turkey Trot together on Thanksgiving Day a couple years ago.

Thank you, Noreen, for your kindness, dedication, and for making a difference in our community!

Photographed left to right: Ben Gallo and Noreen Gallo