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You are here: Let's Meet! >> Our Board
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Let's Meet!
Our Board
 We're Open To Serve:
Mondays 3pm-5pm Tuesdays 5pm-7pm Thursdays 10am-12pm Saturdays 10am-12pm        |
Introducing Our Board
Our Board of Directors is comprised of two representatives from each of our Sponsoring churches. The Board serves without compensation and voluntarily shares their time, talent, and treasure in the pursuit of feeding the hungry of Hall County. We are grateful for their leadership and inspiration.
Mr. Richard McDivitt
Christ Lutheran Church
 I have been volunteering at the South Hall Community Food Pantry since 2009 when my wife and I moved to this area from South Caroline. In November, 2012, I became a Board Member representing Christ Lutheran Church.
I retired after twenty-seven years in the US Army and enjoyed a 14 year second career as an educator with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Following my second retirement, I have enjoyed travel, visiting my two daughters, watching soccer, trail walks, and college football, especially the South Carolina Gamecocks. My main interests are my church activities, particularly having the opportunity to serve at the Food Pantry. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of an ecumenical group that works so well together to provide a much needed service. What a blessing! Mrs. Elaine Key
Christ Lutheran Church
I started volunteering at the food pantry in 2006 after my retirement from the business world.
I also volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Good News at Noon, Northeast Georgia History Center, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Out of all my volunteer activities the South Hall Community Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels are my favorite. I began serving on the South Hall Community Food Pantry Board of Directors in 2012. Volunteering at the Pantry really warms my heart, something about being able to give food to those in need and seeing the smile on their faces. I also enjoy working out and traveling with my husband. Mr. Mike Robertson
East Lanier Community Church
Mike Robertson joined the SHCFP Board July, 2014 as a representative from East Lanier Community Church. Mike and his family have been volunteers at the pantry for almost five years. Mike is a member of East Lanier Community Church where he serves on the Missions Team, in Men's Ministry, and assists with teaching Sunday School. Mike was previously on the board of two ministries in Augusta, Georgia: AGAPE Ministries (urban ministry) and International Link (international students). Mike is a project engineer. He is married to Sandie Robertson and has two daughters, Sydney and Diana. Mike says "I enjoy volunteering at SHCFP because it is an opportunity for me to work with my family to help others.
Mrs. Carol Williams
East Lanier Community Church
 After 53 years in South Carolina, I moved to Georgia 9 years ago. My career has been in nonprofit management with March of Dimes, American Red Cross and United Way. These organizations provided me the opportunity to give back to my community and impact lives on a daily basis. I have two grown children and one very smart granddog. My wonderful husband has shown me the wonders of the USA from the back of his motorcycle. I also enjoy reading, dabbling in photography, and volunteering.
When East Lanier Community Church decided to start a community outreach ministry, I volunteered to help. The South Hall Community Food Pantry was first introduced by Mike Dean. He encouraged participation and East Lanier Community Church became a sponsor in 2009. The Food Pantry provides East Lanier Community Church the opportunity to live its vision of service aimed at meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this community and the world. I have seen the Lord’s hand on the South Hall Community Food Pantry from the very beginning. It is through His provision that the Pantry has been able to meet the needs of its growing client numbers. I have been richly blessed to participate in the efforts of the Pantry. Mrs. Anita Sweet, Secretary
McEver Road United Methodist Church
 "My husband and I joined the South Hall Community Food Pantry as volunteers in the summer of 2012. I have met so many great people, both volunteers and clients and I am very grateful to be a part of this growing service. There was a time when I could have easily been a client and since recommitting my life to Christ in 2002, I can’t think of a better way to show my gratitude than to be His hands and feet at the Pantry! In 2013, I was elected Secretary of the Board of Directors and I am excited to see where God takes us in the years to come. I also mentor several young women in allowing God to work in their lives as He has in mine. I work part time in my home and I enjoy the flexibility that affords…more time to volunteer! I love reading, Jazzercising, crocheting and especially enjoy camping, hiking and canoeing with my husband and our 2 dogs. God has blessed us in so many ways and we are honored to give back whatever and whenever we can!"
Mrs. Mary Alice Swope, Treasurer
Oakwood First United Methodist Church
 In January, 2003, I attended the first meeting to discuss forming a community food pantry. It’s been part of my life ever since. I have served as Treasurer and as Chair of the steering committee, later renamed the Board of Directors. My husband and I shop in local stores for Pantry needs and I serve at the Pantry with members of my church. God has blessed my life immeasurably and I feel called to serve others. I treasure the new friendships with members of other churches and I have learned much from helping our varied clients. Before retirement, I was a professional cellist and music teacher. Now to relax, I enjoy bird-watching, kayaking, and traveling with my husband, Al.
Mr. Ron PetrieOakwood United Methodist Church
I am a member of Oakwood UMC and have lived in Georgia since 1999. I retired from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and also retired from the United States Marine Corp with 23 years of service, active and reserve. I'm a Vietnam veteran and a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 772. I am the SPRC Chair at Oakwood UMC and representative to the annual District Conference as a Lay Member. I also volunteer at the VA Clinic in Oakwood.
I have been volunteering at the South Hall Community Food Pantry for about 3 years and truly enjoy my time there. I recently became a Board member. Mr. Fred Skey
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church
I moved from Atlanta to Oakwood in the fall of 2009 and joined St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church. Very quickly I became involved in the Food Pantry ministry by volunteering when it was St. Gabriel's turn to do so. This ministry is particularly important to me because it never fails to remind me how fortunate I am compared with so many others in this community. I am always reminded of my need to be thankful and to not take anything for granted.
I was born and raised in England and migrated to Australia in my early twenties. After a few years living in Melbourne, I was moved by an Australian company to Hawaii where I spent about 17 years. I moved to Atlanta in 1990 and then up here to Oakwood in 2009. People often ask me which place was my favorite. I always have the same answer and it is "the place I am living right now. This is because I've discovered it's not so much about the place as it is about the people. After a while living somewhere, one becomes involved with the lives of people. Here in Oakwood, it is no different. This is my favorite place and it is because of the people. Some of those people are the wonderful volunteers at the food pantry and the clients we serve. I regard this opportunity to sit on the Board as an honor and I'm very happy to help the hungry in our community." Mrs. Louise Freeman, Chair
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church
 As a lifelong Episcopalian, and a founding member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, I have been involved with many different activities at the church. I am currently a member of the Altar Guild, the Quilt Ministry and am one of St. Gabriel’s representatives to the South Hall Community Food Pantry and have served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. I am also a member of an investment club in Gainesville and an Atlanta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa (an altruistic educational sorority). Upon my retirement from the world of education as a teacher and administrator, I began working as a volunteer for CASA and at the South Hall Community Food Pantry. They seemed to go hand in hand as community members are helped to bridge gaps to a new start. I have one daughter who lives in Athens with her husband and three wonderful grandchildren.
I began working at the South Hall Community Food Pantry at the request of a St. Gabriel’s board member. Her enthusiasm for the project in its infancy was infectious as I began working with the clients on a regular basis. The awareness of how many people just need a little hand up to be on their feet again was eye opening. As the economy lost ground and the number of clients grew, so has our support from the churches and community. The positive feedback from the clients and the thanks they give the volunteers is overwhelming. Helping others to lead productive lives by providing a basic need, food, is just a little way that we can provide a service to our community. Ms. Wanda Dill
The Springs Church
 I started volunteering with the South Hall Community Food Pantry in 2009, and then shortly after became a board member to fill a vacant slot. I did not realize at the time that my church had just joined as a sponsor for the pantry. I have watched the pantry grow, the clients increase in the face of the economic downturn, and have developed bonds with many of the clients.
I am a registered nurse and continue to work. I have participated in going on many foreign medical mission trips in the past, and find the food pantry is a way to contribute to those in my community. I am very active in the church and focus on mission opportunities and nurturing the congregation. I seek ways to be the hands and feet of Christ, to serve those in my church, and my community. I have 2 adult children, and one grandson, and is he ever grand! I enjoy reading, theater, photography, traveling and spending time with friends and family, along with my pets, 2 dogs and 3 cats. Mrs. Dolores Hutcheson
The Springs Church
I am new on The South Hall Community Food Pantry Board. For the past three years I have volunteered at the pantry distributing food. In the past I have helped with other food pantries and enjoy helping others. My first experience was when I started going on foreign missions trips and realized how blessed myself and my family have have been.
Working in a Title 1 school I have been able to start a food drive for our families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Being around so many needy students and families has made me want to help those in my community. The Lord has blessed my husband and I with three great children, 6 fabulous grandchildren, two dogs and a cat. Being able to help and witness to those is a great gift to share. Mrs. Jackie Buchan
McEver Road UMC
I moved to Oakwood 30 years ago and started attending McEver Road UMC. Within a few years I had 3 preschoolers, so the Mother's Morning Out (MMO) Program was a God send to a stay-at-home mom. As the 'little white church on the hill' grew, so did my involvement in the missions and programs of the church. For 18 years I had the privilege of being the director of the MMO & Preschool and then I was given the opportunity to return to 'real school' and teach at West Hall High School & Middle School until 2013 when I retired. My husband, a life long resident of Hall County, is also retired from the Department of Transportation. We bought a little RV and have had many adventures seeing the beautiful country God has blessed us with.
I started volunteering at the food pantry as a way to give back to the community. Along with involvement in our church's children program I also had the opportunity of going on a mission trip to Red Bird Kentucky this past year and I'm looking forward to going again to help the folks of Eastern Kentucky & Appalachia. God has been very good to me & I am happy give back to help others. |
Loving Hearts, Loving Work
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