By Tom Spalding, Communications Volunteer
During a distinguished academic career, Matt Hayes worked alongside archbishops in two states, led an Indianapolis high school as president, and directed pastoral care initiatives—each role marked by a deep commitment to Catholic faith and community.
In March 2022, he became the fourth director of the Boulevard Place Food Pantry, following in the footsteps of predecessors Bob Kennie (founder), Mark Varnau, and Cindy Brown.
Having already been a volunteer on the pantry’s regular Tuesday morning offload crew, Hayes brought both hands-on experience and a desire for continued efficiency to Boulevard Place, a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Indianapolis.
Now, as he prepares to step down on June 24, 2025, Hayes’ legacy reflects not only operational improvements, but also a deep spiritual philosophy that shaped his work and inspired those around him.
Dignity and Generosity
Throughout his tenure, Hayes prioritized creating a dignified, welcoming experience for shoppers. He envisioned the pantry as a place that felt like a “small, little corner grocery store,” where clients are treated with respect and offered a variety of quality food options.
When asked about the most impressive aspect of his time as director, Hayes’ answer was immediate: the generosity of parishioners. “Without question,” he said, “it’s the generosity of the Catholic parishes. The food donations we receive—especially during Lent—are extraordinary.”
Impact and Transition
Hayes emphasizes that he agreed to take the position as director only because his immediate predecessor, Brown, had taken steps to broaden the depth of support, including expanding the number of volunteers to serve on the board of directors.
Under Hayes’ leadership, the pantry grew not only in efficiency but also in heart. He helped implement more streamlined operations, such as improved food weighing systems and a shift toward electronic tabulation of donations. His tenure also included strategic alignment efforts with the broader St. Vincent de Paul Council—especially in areas like personnel, fundraising and potential adoption of a Salesforce-based food bank management system.
He acknowledged the remarkable support of SVdP Indy’s Peter Zubler and Paul Ainslie, which allowed the pantry to function as a “standalone special work” while benefiting from their organizational expertise. Hayes also expressed confidence as Robert White assumes the reins as the pantry’s sole director officially on July 1.
His Math Was Off
Hayes often shares his personal motto: “One plus one equals three.” This principle captured his belief in the exponential power of collaboration. “What I’ve learned is one plus one equals three. It really does work,” he said—but there are days when volunteers would receive 20,000 pounds of food on a Tuesday shift and find a way put it where it was supposed to go in order to get into the hands of shoppers two days later, and in some cases, the next day as they drive up.
“What I’ve learned is one plus one equals three. But sometimes it’s more like one plus one equals five or six or ten. The pantry is an amazing place because of volunteers and what they do when they get together and support each other.”
Another concept close to Hayes’ heart was “networks because of the knots,” referring to the connections formed by people who share a common purpose. “We knot ourselves with other people who have a shared experience or a common vision,” he said—an apt description of the camaraderie and mission-focused teamwork at the pantry.
“He kept the spirit of the pantry and the mission on track and met or exceeded challenges that we faced. As the challenges evolved, he adapted,” said Brown, who had a 7-year run as director starting in 2016 and had a key hand in selecting Hayes, then working alongside him for a year before handing off the unpaid position. “I knew he’d be the right person to step up.”
Spiritual Dimensions of the Work
Hayes often framed the work of the pantry in deeply spiritual terms.
His pantry role was different than his time in Catholic lay leadership (he worked for the Archbishop of Indianapolis, the Archbishop of Louisville, as president of Brebeuf High School, then as the director of pastoral care at St Vincent).
Hayes described the experience at the pantry as a living embodiment of the Eucharist and the miracle of the loaves and fishes—a ministry of feeding others, both literally and figuratively. “This is really what Eucharist is all about: to share bread with other people,” he said. “The guiding image for me has always been (Matthew 14: 17-19) about the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. “We’re serving people in need, and that’s how God becomes present to us.”
TJ Ranft, operations manager of the pantry, said Hayes’ demeanor, faith in God, faith in the pantry’s organization and keen understanding of “what we do” were instrumental in building a culture that cultivates the volunteers to continue to want to sign up for shifts despite the increasingly hectic pace of shopping shifts. “A calming presence,” Ranft described.
Looking Ahead
Hayes’ last day later this month will be spent doing the usual Tuesday physical labor—something he finds fitting and symbolic. He is moving to a new state, but his passion for food pantry work will continue. He plans to volunteer in his new community, guided by the same belief that has shaped his life: we are called to serve one another.
What’s Next
Hayes, 76, and his spouse Judy are the proud parents of four children and grandparents to five, will split their time between Michigan and Indianapolis. They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
