Dolores Makes A Difference At Soup Kitchen: Patch Community Leader

WILKES-BARRE, PA —Without community leaders, Wilkes-Barre wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Marianne Sibal, a Wilkes-Barre Patch reader who nominated Dolores Splane.

How do you know this community leader?

Work beside her at the Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen in Shamokin.

What does this community leader do?

Coordinator of The Shepherd’s Table, a soup kitchen in Coal Township

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Here follows a group response from folks who collaborate with Dolores each week to serve nourishing meals at no cost to the elderly, shut-ins, and food insecure in our impoverished region:

From the building’s administrative assistant who physically houses the kitchen: Dolores goes above and beyond to help everyone, working tirelessly to make sure the S.T. continues to operate, putting others’ needs over her own whether they are family, friends, or strangers turned guests of the S.T.

From a Volunteer: Dolores is a friend to all, ready to help out in anything that needs to be done. She knows all phases of the S.T.’s operation.

From a Friend (from her church who also) Volunteers: She should be recognized simply for all the time and effort she puts into the S.T. if nothing else.

From a Volunteer turned friend: Dee is a selfless, hardworking woman. She handles the MANY aspects of this job with quiet excellence.

From the Main Dishwasher: Dolores does a Superior job of managing the Shepherd’s Table.

From a Volunteer: For 15 plus years she has coordinated with great devotion the food purchases and distribution to the Poor while managing the volunteer staff with patience and kindness.

From a Volunteer: Dolores gives everything of herself to see that the S.T. does its very best for the people of this community. MANY HOURS!!

From a Volunteer: Beyond the S.T. Dolores also works teaching at Silver Sneakers (fitness for Seniors) and Yoga.

From a long-time Friend: She has been dedicated to helping people in need for most of her life.

From a Volunteer: Dolores is one of the few who always volunteers.

From a building Employee: She has good rapport with Everyone in the community, is knowledgeable about activities in her church and all types of community affairs.

From a Volunteer: I feel she does everything: coordinating helpers, ordering food and supplies, helping with preparation, sitting on the S.T. Board of Directors, and has been with the organization for fifteen of the twenty years it has been in existence.

From a Cook: Dolores’ goodness is extremely genuine; caring not only about the S.T., and benefiting the community that we serve; but she accepts every individual human being for who they are at that present moment. She feels compassion for each person she meets whether it’s while delivering a meal to a home-bound Senior or smiling at a seemingly destitute person walking up to the window for a carry-out meal, lifting them to feeling just a bit better for having made that connection.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Dolores Splane is selfless. She recruited me and other yoga people and we’re all still there helping because of her. She's very helpful getting things together and done.

• Is a warm, funny, giving, caring person.
• Is trustworthy, dependable, helpful, punctual, and friendly.
• Is devoted, kind, patient, efficient, a team player, empathetic, a Leader.
• Is always open to listen to anyone regardless if it is praise or not.
• Is very good at organizing and taking charge - gets things done.
• is just wonderful!
• Is a devoted, faithful, and unselfish person.
• Is a great organizer.
• Can be very persuasive in getting help to get a job done.
• Is so giving, always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needs her help, like an elderly gentleman who sometimes needs her help with tasks.
• Is willing to let us put her name forward for this recognition because it really promotes the Shepherds Table but doesn’t want to sit still for a picture. If you select her we will send plenty more better ones. Thank you for reading our thoughts about this great lady!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out? Nominate them here.