Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Agency Services department has undergone some big changes in the past few weeks!
Jeremy Hammond resigned as the Manager of Agency Services to pursue other interests. During Jeremy’s five years at the Food Bank, he standardized the agency monitoring and renewal processes, was the driving force behind the Agency Network Conference, and was an active member of food security coalitions in all parts of the state. We wish him the best in his next endeavor.
Kathy Helming, formerly the Agency Services Field Rep for Southern and Western Maine, has stepped into the role of Manager of Agency Services. Kathy is now based out of the Auburn office and can be reached at khelming@gsfb.org or (207) 782 -3554 ext. 1119.
Heidi Lupardo remains our Agency Services Specialist, performing excellent customer service from our Auburn offices by helping agencies with orders and other concerns, as well as offering support to our Child Hunger Programs and other departments of the Food Bank. Heidi has moved to the reception area on the second floor of the Auburn warehouse where she can assist agencies and other visitors both on the phone and face-to-face.
In early September, Heidi will be joined by a second Agency Services Specialist – we’ll keep you posted!
We have a new team of Agency Services Field Reps to act as the liaisons between our agencies and the Food Bank. Their “fresh eyes” will help us continue to improve our relationships with agencies and other partners in our pursuit of a hunger-free Maine.
Jen MacDonald is very excited to be joining the Good Shepherd Food Bank as the Southern Maine Agency Services Field Representative. Jen comes to us from Aetna Insurance where she was previously a Long Term Disability Manger. Additionally, Jen is experienced in Account Management, Logistics Management and has done extensive work in Customer Service. Jen will be servicing Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties. Jen’s email address is jmacdonald@gsfb.org.
Lori Fecteau is thrilled to join the team at Good Shepherd Food Bank as Agency Services Field Representative for Northern Maine. Lori comes from a public health and education background and most recently coordinated the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention grant in the Bangor Region. It was through this work, which entailed providing education to people facing food insecurity, that a passion for ending hunger was realized. Prior to working in public health, Lori planned community programs for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and spent several years in higher education student services. She is very excited to meet with and learn about all the great work happening at food pantries across the state.
When not working, Lori enjoys spending time with her fiancé at her home in Hermon, visiting her family in Southern Maine, baking, reading, and getting to the ocean as much as possible. Lori will cover Aroostook, Penobscot, Washington, Hancock, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo counties and can be reached at lfecteau@gsfb.org.
Tia Harris is excited to start her new role with the Food Bank as the Agency Services Field Representative for Central Maine. She has been employed with Good Shepherd Food Bank since 2011 as receptionist/administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator. She has an extensive background in customer service and is very much looking forward to working with our partner agencies to help feed Maine’s hungry. In addition to her work with GSFB, Tia is a student at Central Maine Community College studying graphic design/communications. Tia will be serving the central Maine counties of Kennebec, Franklin, Oxford, Androscoggin and Knox. Tia can be reached at tharris@gsfb.org.
Jen, Lori, and Tia will be arranging visits with agencies in the different warehouses, at agency sites, at food pantry meetings and at other events where food pantry and meal site people gather! If you have GSFB-related concerns or questions, need information or resources, or in general want to welcome them, please email or call!
New Agency Field Reps lent a hand to the Inspection and Sorting team at the Food Bank during their orientation and training. Pictured left to right are Tia Harris
(Central Maine), Lori Fecteau (Northern Maine), and Jen MacDonald (Southern Maine).