Food Pantry hires new director, implements new approach

As someone who has needed the services a non-profit organization provides, Jessica McKenzie is passionate about continuing her decade-long involvement with helping others as the Vermillion Food Pantry’s new director.

“Knowing how it impacted me, there’s just really no other option,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie, who previously worked at Make-A-Wish in Seattle, Wash., moved to Vermillion a little over a year ago, and started her position as director in October.

The Vermillion Food Pantry has been serving Clay County residents for 30 years. Located in Trinity Lutheran Church rent-free, the organization has no religious affiliation.

Anyone who fits the non-profit’s criteria can utilize its services, even USD students, which is something McKenzie wants more students to be aware of.

“It’s a matter of if you need it,” McKenzie said. “If you need it, we’re here. I want to make it really stigma-free.”

The pantry’s previous director, Mary Berglin, fulfilled the role for 25 years. When she first started, they were only feeding about 30 to 50 people.

Today, the non-profit serves anywhere from 400 to 500 people each month, half of whom are children. Its busiest weeks are at the beginning and end of the month, because that’s around the times food stamps run out.

Berglin said she enjoyed her role as director because it was constantly changing as the pantry grew.

Berglin decided to resign due to health and a desire to spend more time relaxing at home and with her grandchildren.

“I’d been there 25 years — I had dreamed all the dreams that I could for the pantry I could focus on. So it was time for somebody else to come in and do their dreaming,” Berglin said.

Berglin said that is exactly what McKenzie has done.

“She’s come in with new eyes and she sees what needs to be done, and she just hit the ground running. I think it’s wonderful,” Berglin said.

One of the changes McKenzie is most excited about bringing to the food pantry is a new experience clients are getting when they come to get food.

Instead of a standard box of food based on family size being given to them, clients now get to choose their allotted number of items with the help of volunteers. This approach is called client choice, which McKenzie said will reduce waste, works better for dietary requirements and gives clients a more positive experience at the pantry.

“It’s a win-win, really. We have those cost savings and they have that greater sense of control and ownership and reduced stigma,” McKenzie said. “I’m really enthusiastic about doing things that mentally help people.”

The pantry’s hours of operation have also been adjusted. They are now open Tuesday and Thursday nights, Monday and Friday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.

McKenzie said the majority of the pantry’s clients are underemployed, not unemployed, so she tried to pick a varied schedule that would help alleviate post-work rushes and avoid long stretches of inactivity.

McKenzie has revamped the pantry’s Facebook page, is in the process of creating a new website and has started a new resource station with the help of another volunteer.

Mary Baer has been a food pantry volunteer for a little over a year. Before that, she was a case manager for a domestic violence shelter in Sioux Falls.

Clients may meet with Mary Baer for the new resource station. They sign up at the pantry, and Baer sets up an appointment that consists of advice for a families’ or individual’s specific situation.

Information regarding housing, economic assistance, childcare, where to eat for free, how to get free diapers and formula, advice on stretching money and other resources are available at these meetings.

“Yeah, we’re giving out food here, but maybe we can help at least by giving them other resources also, if they need them,” Baer said.

So far, Baer has only had two appointments. She said both went well, and the clients were very appreciative. She encouraged them to keep in touch and let her know if they need further help.

McKenzie is hoping to reach more people more efficiently through increased marketing and social media activity, an area she thinks would reach more USD students. She’s also looking for a volunteer photographer to take pictures for the Pantry’s social media.

“I know that there’s a lot to offer from my generation and younger, and so I’m trying to get a lot more options for involvement,” McKenzie said. “I’d definitely like more student involvement.”

Sophomore Olivia Brown got involved at the Pantry through SERVE USD, and now volunteers weekly.

Brown helps clients and stocks shelves when the pantry isn’t as busy.

“It was hard interacting at first, but they’re grateful for the help that we’re giving them, so that makes it easier,” Brown said. “It makes me more grateful for what I have and just realizing all the people that are out there that need help.”

Five-year volunteer Linda Wymar purchases food and oversees distribution for the pantry.

Even before she retired her teaching career, Wymar said she saw the community need and knew she wanted to help.

“I enjoy providing for people in different ways,” Wymar said.

The new client choice is something Wymar said she is glad to see.

“I love it. I have wanted to do this for a long time, so I’m just delighted,” Wymar said. “I think our clients really like it.”

In the face of all her ideas, McKenzie said non-profits are ultimately about treating people like people.

“I love seeing what it does for people,” McKenzie said. “The lift that you can give people, the cheering of their spirits, giving them hope — I’m really big on hope, especially in these desperate situations that non-profits were made to serve.”

(Photo: Pam Flanigan, a Vermillion community member, bags food for a client. Flanigan has been a volunteer at the Vermillion Food Pantry for three years. Ally Krupinsky / The Volante)