Outreach in Action

Director milestone: Looking back on paper towel, prom shoes, and smiling faces.

by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall

Photo of Gwen Reid taken one year ago, on her first official day as director of Stockbridge Outreach.
Photo credit: Paul Crandall

August 18, 2022 marked the first full year of Gwen Reid’s tenure as Director at Stockbridge Community Outreach, so we sat down with her to ask a few questions about how she is faring.

Paul:  If you could be any animal other than a human, what would you be, and why?

Gwen:  I have never really thought about that Paul, but I guess it would be an elephant because they never forget—and I have such a problem remembering things!

Jo: What are some of the most memorable moments you’ve had over the past year?

Gwen:  Well, every Wednesday is a blast of fun.  I get to work with GREAT volunteers, and we give food out to carloads of smiling faces!  But the most memorable moments are two that stick out in my mind the most. One was when I was trying so hard to leave the office for the weekend, and a high school girl called so excited to have been invited to the prom, but she needed some shoes to go with her dress.  I stayed, she came right over, and we found some shoes for her! Thank you to all of the people who donate clothes and shoes!* The second one was when I gave away the last roll of paper towel and exactly two hours later, a truck pulled in with a full load of …PAPER TOWEL!!! Their church had been collecting for the past few months—talk about perfect timing and a perfect answer to our need.

*Please call the Outreach office (517-851-7285) before bringing any clothing donations. We had to temporarily stop taking clothing donations until our volunteers could process the tidal wave of clothes we received from the Gregory Community Church clothes closet when they closed their closet in late July. Thank you for your understanding!

Paul: What is your favorite color?

Gwen:  Green and White (Go MSU!)

Jo: What differences did you notice when you moved from volunteer to director?

Gwen: The biggest difference is when I was volunteering, I was happy to help Karen with whatever she needed, whenever she needed it. I just felt good volunteering for such a great program. Now that I am the director, I feel like I need to “protect” volunteers so they don’t get overused—but I forget that they also do it because they feel good volunteering for such a great program!

Paul: If you could go back in history and meet anyone, who would it be and why?

Gwen:  Eleanor Roosevelt. I just watched the series The First Ladies.  Eleanor seemed so caring and kind to soldiers and to people on the street.  She was very giving and gentle and kind.

Jo: Are there ideas you’d like to pursue at Outreach in the years to come?

Gwen:  I would like to make time for some support groups and maybe a Coffee Hour. I really enjoy just spontaneous conversation with people because often I find that it leads to ways that we can help each other out.

Jo: When you look at our current social and economic situation in Michigan, are there particular concerns you have regarding Outreach and its services for clients?

Gwen:  The supply chain issues, in general, have caused low inventory at the Greater Lansing Food Bank where we get most of our pantry food. I like to see our shelves full, and they have been looking scarce recently. Also, the price of propane, fuel oil, and electric for heat. These prices are a challenge for low income households as well as for agencies like the Outreach.

Paul: I know you recently attended an Elton John concert. What is your favorite Elton John song?

Gwen:  Are you kidding?  Bennie and the Jets, of course!

Congratulations on your first successful year, Gwen, and we hope you have many more to come!

This column is sponsored by Stockbridge Community Outreach, our local food pantry, crisis, and referral center located in the Stockbridge Activity Center (old middle school) near Cherry & Elm Streets in Stockbridge.  Office hours are 1-3pm, Monday, Wednesday, & Fridays and by appointment. [email protected], 517-851-7285, or find us on Facebook.