Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Stephen Sherr
Whenever we’ve needed a last-minute volunteer during a snowstorm, chances were that Stephen was already on his way. Living just a short walk from Rainbow Place Shelter, Stephen regularly steps in when someone calls out, even in inclement weather, sometimes trekking through the snow to make sure dinner service runs smoothly. Always smiling and ready to help, he trains first-time volunteers, lends an extra pair of hands to staff whenever needed, and brings a calm confidence that comes from experience. As our Kitchen Coordinator Louise put it: “He ALWAYS has a great attitude.”
Stephen grew up in the Baltimore suburbs in Pikesville and has lived in Rockville since the early 1990s. He and his wife raised their two children here, and now, with both kids grown, Stephen has found meaningful ways to give back in the community he calls home. He works for the U.S. Treasury Department and lives within walking distance of the shelter, which makes volunteering both convenient and personal. As he puts it, he likes helping in his own neighborhood, and the round trip to Rainbow conveniently adds about 5,000 steps to his day.
His connection to Rainbow Place began even before he officially volunteered. Around 2019, while working from home, Stephen spent many mornings at a local Starbucks in Rockville Town Center. There, he met a woman who was staying at Rainbow Place Shelter. Talking with her planted a seed. He remembers thinking, “Maybe I’d like to volunteer one day.” Then the pandemic hit, and everything paused. As soon as Rainbow reopened after COVID, Stephen reached out to ask if he could help. He’s been serving ever since, now in his fourth year as a volunteer.
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Stephen primarily serves meals, a role he takes seriously. He doesn’t prepare the food himself, but he proudly notes that he has “never served anything that didn’t look yummy.” Over the years, he estimates he’s served meals at least 15 to 20 times, often jumping in as a last-minute emergency volunteer. In fact, being that reliable backup is something he enjoys. It allows him to serve more frequently and be there when he’s most needed. Currently, he volunteers about twice a month, but if schedules allowed, he’d happily come weekly.
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What keeps Stephen coming back is the simple, fundamental nature of the work. He believes access to food is a basic human expectation, and volunteering is one way he can help make that a reality. He also appreciates gaining experience and confidence in the role, knowing what to do, and being able to step in smoothly, even on nights when he’s the only volunteer. He values the staff at Rainbow and the feeling that everyone is working together toward the same goal. He also appreciates knowing there’s always a backup plan, like extra food in the freezer when a storm disrupts deliveries.
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Stephen’s volunteerism extends beyond Rainbow Place Shelter. He also volunteers with So What Else, helping out at their warehouse. For him, service isn’t about recognition; it’s about showing up and doing what needs to be done. Looking ahead, Stephen is happy to continue doing exactly what he’s doing now, just more often. He’s even open to the idea of serving on Rainbow’s Board someday.
Outside of volunteering, Stephen stays busy with a wide range of interests. He bowls on a team that recently finished in fourth place, their best result yet. For more than 20 years, he’s designed crossword puzzles for The Beacon, and one of his personal goals is to market those puzzles more widely. He’s a loyal fan of Cavaliers basketball and the Ravens, loves attending music concerts, and enjoys traveling when he can. He also jokes that he goes to the theatre, mostly to make his wife happy.
Stephen is one of hundreds of Rainbow volunteers, volunteers who have full lives outside of their work at Rainbow, yet still find time to help. Stephen’s story, in particular, is a reminder that steady, dependable volunteers are the backbone of Rainbow Place Shelter. We are deeply grateful for his commitment, his kindness, and his willingness to show up whenever he’s needed — even on the snowiest nights.