By Tom Spalding, Communications Volunteer
The Boulevard Place Pantry Board has made significant strides in strengthening its leadership and operational framework for 2025. The Board passed four key resolutions addressing leadership transitions and strategic term planning to ensure the Pantry continues to serve the community effectively.
Resolution Highlights
1) New Board Members Appointed
As of Jan. 1, 2025, Amy McDonald will succeed Lisa Wilson as the representative for Christ the King Parish, and Liz Samperio will succeed Andy Pike as the representative for Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish. Both appointments are for three-year terms. Pike, who has been the STA representative for the Pantry since its relocation to 4202 N. Boulevard Place in 2012, will remain active as our energy-efficiency coordinator.
2) New Board President
As of Jan. 1, 2025, Lisa Wilson (CtK) will assume the role of president of the Board, succeeding Phyllis McNamara. The Board expressed its deep gratitude for her exemplary leadership and her continued commitment as a volunteer, working directly to support clients during shopping hours. Wilson’s term as president will also span three years. McNamara will remain the Thursday shift check-in leader.
3) Pantry Co-Directors and Leadership Transition
From January through July 2025, Matt Hayes (St. Thomas Aquinas Parish) and Robert White (also of St. Thomas Aquinas) will serve as co-Directors of the Pantry. Following this period, Hayes will step down from the Board, and White will assume the role of director for a three-year term starting in July 2025.
“As we move into 2025, these changes position the Boulevard Place Pantry Board to continue its vital work serving our clients with compassion and consistency,” Hayes said. “We set an all-time high in terms of households served in fiscal year 2024 with over 16,000 and as the fifth-largest food pantry in Marion County we focus on these personnel changes so we can continue to fulfill our role addressing community food insecurity.”
White is the fifth director in its 42-year history succeeding Bob Kennie, Mark Varnau, Cindy Brown and Matt Hayes, who became sole director in March 2022.
4) Officer Term Expirations and Recruitment Efforts
The terms for the Board’s Treasurer and Secretary positions are set to expire in January 2025. Terry White will continue to serve as Treasurer until a replacement is appointed or through July 2025, whichever comes first.
The Board is actively recruiting replacements for those expiring positions.
“I am deeply impressed by the commitment of our quality volunteers to serve at all levels,” Hayes said. “These newly positioned leaders continue this tradition of committed quality service into the future. Another example of the expression of 1+1=3 – a magical formula that truly quantifies the impact of giving back.”
