Neighbors, Inc. would not be able to do the work it does without our volunteers. They are the friendly faces that greet our visitors and the helping hands that keep our food shelf and Clothes Closet running smoothly.

Throughout the coming weeks and months, we’ll be spotlighting the many ways volunteers are serving the community and helping our neighbors in need. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.neighborsmn.org/volunteer.

Deb T. is a people-person. After spending 25 years in customer service at a local grocery store, she knew that there was more for her in retirement than time off of work. “Once I started volunteering at Neighbors, that empty part of me was gone,” she says with a bright smile.

Deb first learned about Neighbors because of her grandmother’s volunteer involvement. Wanting to become more involved in her community, she remembered how the bakery she worked at would donate items to Neighbors’ food shelf on a regular basis. She decided to try one volunteer shift and see how it went, and the rest is history.

Originally a self-schedule volunteer, her flexibility and initiative ultimately drove her to take on new responsibility in an ongoing role in the Clothes Closet thrift store. Deb’s infectious positivity is felt by customer and co-worker alike: “Someone may be having a bad day, but that doesn’t mean I have to!”

Deb’s favorite part about Neighbors is the relationships she has cultivated with co-workers and customers. “If you’re feeling bleh, you walk through the front door here and that all goes away!” Deb’s advice to others who are thinking about volunteering at Neighbors: “Do it! It’s a fun place.”

Deb’s ideal day is one spent with her family, including her children and grandchildren; they are her greatest joy. One of our greatest joys is volunteers like Deb whose effortless transition between tasks and great attitude make Neighbors a great place.