Verna Scharbach, long-time Mission Benedict volunteer, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by loving friends, family and community members at the St. Joseph Shelter in Mt. Angel. Verna has been volunteering at Mission Benedict since its inception – in her very own garage – 30 years ago.
The Statesman Journal interviewed Verna about her time spent volunteering at Mission Benedict.
At an age when most people have even ordinary tasks done by others, Verna Scharbach is still doing for others. A lifelong Mt. Angel resident and great-great-grandmother has been volunteering with Mission Benedict for 30 years.
“I’m going to do this until I drop dead,” Scharbach said. “I’m not going to quit. My driver’s license is good until I’m 102.” Mission Benedict essentially started in Scharbach’s garage. The sisters from the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel established St. Joseph Shelter, a transitional housing program for homeless families, in 1988. They started a food bank along with the shelter and operated it out of Scharbach’s garage for its first years. Over the years she became synonymous with the food bank.
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