Food Bank honors outgoing officers, welcomes new

Outgoing President Frank Perry and Vice President Sandy Rios were pleasantly surprised at the Sept. 17 Community Food Bank board meeting when they were honored for their dedication and service.

Both were presented with plaques by new board President Shirley Pavlovich and CEO Bill Carnegie and will continue to serve on the 22-member board.

Pavlovich has been a volunteer with the food bank for eight years and has been on the board for the last three.

The new vice president is Les Brisbois, a four-year volunteer.

Asked what her goal as president is, Pavlovich said, “To continue to serve the needs of the community and to find better ways to serve those needs.”

Brisbois said his goal is to be actively involved and to continue with the Rescue Food Program where volunteers pick up dairy and produce items that are approaching a “sell by” date from local supermarkets.

Brisbois said every item is checked. Some stays at the food bank and some is distributed to the Amado Food Bank.

Both Pavlovich and Brisbois have plans to continue to make the Food Bank the best it can be. “I want to be sure to engage the public on the food bank’s needs; to keep the awareness going as the need is growing,” Brisbois said.

Pavlovich has worked with Branch Manager Mary Jane Goodrick in an effort to “go green” and says there’s a big effort now to communicate with board members via e-mail versus paper.

Pavlovich has also worked with Goodrick to put together a detailed explanation of the various committee jobs. “If a board member [or volunteer] wants to become more involved, they’ll know what the job entails,” Pavlovich explained.

Different thinking motivates the new officers to continue their volunteerism. Pavlovich said, “I see a need and want to help serve — especially for seniors and children.”

Brisbois’ motivation comes from above. “God uses people to help other people ... I can do a small part. The food bank is a faith-based organization. I feel that’s important,” he said.

On Oct. 9, it will be one year since Goodrick became branch manager. Asked what her three main accomplishments have been this past year, she said, “Increasing the level of monetary donations, which is up 40 percent; increasing the level of food donations, which is up 15 percent; and making the community more aware of the needs.”

She said ongoing publicity in the Green Valley News has gotten the word of need out and has been very helpful.

The need for food and monetary donations continues. The food bank now helps an average of 40 clients a day and is planning a number of food drives to supplement general donations.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer with the Green Valley News. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.