Jeffrey Anson - Chairperson
A church member, Jeff maintains the statistics for the pantry and reports them monthly to the Food Bank. He sings in Milwood's Chancel Choir, is a “small group” leader, member of the church Staff Parish Relations Committee, Chair of Milwood's Fine Arts Committee, and
a continually willing volunteer. He is a retires special education teacher from Kalamazoo Public Schools.
a continually willing volunteer. He is a retires special education teacher from Kalamazoo Public Schools.
Jeslyn Gordon - Treasurer
A church member, Jeslyn works with the Pantry Director to order food through the Food Bank. She also chairs the Staff Parish Relations Committee (Human Resources), serves as a Sunday School teacher, as well as volunteering with the Pantry. She is a self-employed
contractor.
contractor.
Carolyn Johnston - Pantry/FFD Director
A church member, Carolyn is the only paid employee of the pantry. She is responsible for day-to-day operations and maintaining all pantry records. A former client, she has become a reliable volunteer for several years.
Valerie Reilly - Assistant Director
A church member, Valerie is responsible for overseeing grant-writing. She has volunteered with the Pantry for many years. She is a semi-retired nurse working at a continuum of care community.
Helen Palleschi - Secretary
A church member and parish nurse, Helen serves on several church committees, and is chair of the church's Missions and Outreach Task Force. She is active with the Kalamazoo Russian Cultural Association and, although retired, continues as an instructor of nursing
through Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
through Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Dave Hamman
is a church member. Along with being a member of the Pantry Board, he also volunteers with the Pantry on a weekly basis. He is a youth group leader, active in outreach programs for the church. He donated a permanent basketball hoop by our parking lot, for the benefit of neighborhood kids. Dave is retired from the Pfizer plant in Kalamazoo.
Kim Rackley
assists with data entry for FFD. A former Pantry client, has put herself through nursing school, and is now employed as a surgical nurse at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo
Josie Gutierrez
is a current pantry client, and gives us current perspective on pantry needs.
Volunteers
We have 12 additional volunteers who help out with filling grocery bags ahead of time, and working during distribution times. These include some high school students who are interested in community service.
