Shining in our July Volunteer Spotlight: Ralph Dell

Congratulations to Ralph Dell, our 2026 Charlie Bunn Volunteer of the Year!

For the past nine years, Ralph has been a dedicated volunteer at Ashure Ministry, faithfully serving our food pantry and bringing plenty of laughter along the way. After retiring, Ralph wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to the community. Fortunately for us, he found a home at Ashure Ministry, where his servant's heart, strong work ethic, and great sense of humor have made a lasting impact.

Ralph volunteers every Monday and Wednesday, primarily driving our grocery pickup van to Target in Hickory. He's also one of the first people to step in whenever another driver is unavailable. Whether it's greeting clients at the pantry door, building grocery carts, or helping wherever there's a need, Ralph is always willing to lend a hand. In fact, it's not unusual for him to stop by on an extra afternoon—sometimes because we're short-staffed and sometimes because, as Ralph likes to say, he just needed an excuse to get out of the house!

One of Ralph's greatest strengths is his gift for organization. Early in his volunteer service, he recognized an opportunity to improve how meat was stored in our freezer. He developed a system to ensure boxes were filled completely, stacked safely, dated properly, and rotated efficiently. His attention to detail established a process that continues to benefit our pantry years later.

Ralph has also been known to be in the right place at the right time. One morning, staff discovered two young raccoons trapped inside our dumpster. After placing a ladder inside and giving them time, the curious pair eventually climbed to freedom. Thankfully, Ralph happened to be there with his camera and captured the unforgettable moment as one of the raccoons made its great escape!

While Ralph enjoys keeping everyone laughing—especially with his annual jokes about receiving a Christmas bonus—he takes his volunteer service very seriously. He is deeply committed to Ashure Ministry's mission and values being part of a team dedicated to serving people experiencing hardship throughout Catawba County. He also appreciates the trust he's given to see what needs to be done and simply get to work without waiting to be asked.

Ralph's willingness to serve, dependable spirit, leadership, and contagious sense of humor have made him an invaluable member of our volunteer family. He truly makes Ashure Ministry a better place for everyone who serves alongside him.

Congratulations, Ralph, on being named the 2026 Charlie Bunn Volunteer of the Year! This recognition is well deserved, and we are incredibly grateful for all you do for Ashure Ministry and the community we serve. And while we may not have a Christmas bonus for you, your gift of laughter has certainly been a bonus for all of us!