Extended Hands honors faithful volunteer in Fountain Hills
90-year-old volunteer celebrates 21 years with the food bank
Pictured with other volunteers, Janet Thomas (second from right) has been volunteering at the Extended Hands Food Bank for 21 years.
Photo courtesy of Extended Hands Food Bank
Staff and volunteers celebrated Thomas’ 90th birthday at the food bank last year.
Photo courtesy of Extended Hands Food Bank
Thomas is most often seen with a broom or a mop and a smile that lights up a room.
Photo courtesy of Extended Hands Food Bank
Volunteering since the opening day of the Extended Hands Food Bank, Janet Thomas has spent the last 21 years serving those in need in the Fountain Hills community.
Celebrating 91 years of life on Friday, Feb. 28, Thomas arrives every Saturday to clean the food bank to keep the warehouse, bathrooms and offices sparkling clean. She is most often seen with a broom or a mop and a smile that lights up a room.
“She comes in, says good morning and makes sure everyone knows that they’re welcome here,” said Allyson Iverson, the food bank’s assistant director. “She brightens up Saturday mornings at the food bank.”
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers starting at $5 for your first month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Volunteering since the opening day of the Extended Hands Food Bank, Janet Thomas has spent the last 21 years serving those in need in the Fountain Hills community.
Celebrating 91 years of life on Friday, Feb. 28, Thomas arrives every Saturday to clean the food bank to keep the warehouse, bathrooms and offices sparkling clean. She is most often seen with a broom or a mop and a smile that lights up a room.
“She comes in, says good morning and makes sure everyone knows that they’re welcome here,” said Allyson Iverson, the food bank’s assistant director. “She brightens up Saturday mornings at the food bank.”
Iverson says Thomas has watched her grow up since she was four years old, calling her, “her young little angel.”
Thomas lives in Fountain Hills with her daughter, Cece. She used to volunteer four days a week at the food bank and now volunteers on the weekend.
The food bank staff and volunteers celebrated Thomas’ 90th birthday last year with an array of bundt cakes. Director David Iverson is glad to have Thomas as a volunteer and hopes she continues to bring joy to the Fountain Hills community.
“We deeply value our volunteers, and Janet has been a faithful volunteer for the past 21 years. Her value is off the charts as she turns 91 years old,” David said. “May God’s richest blessings be hers as she celebrates another year.”
The Extended Hands Food Bank is located at 16548 E. Laser Drive. It is open Friday, Saturday and Monday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. and Tuesday from 3 to 5:45 p.m.
The food bank always welcomes new volunteers. To learn more, visit ehfb.org or call 480-837-0303.
Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here