|
|
|
Amy Knox has been actively involved with Provision Packs since it began in 2014. “I started actively helping pack weekly when Provision Packs was serving one school, Pathways Elementary, and feeding only a couple kids per week,” said Amy. Fast forward to now, and Amy serves as the Operations Manager, where Provision Packs supports over 1,000 children per week at twelve elementary schools in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Amy reflected on seeing the pantry through many stages, operational challenges, and locations. These locations included a small closet at Oasis Church, a store front in the Amaral Shopping Plaza and the current warehouse location at 289 Walnut Street.
Amy enthusiastically volunteers countless hours each week at the Pantry. She brings many skills to the table from her career and post-secondary education in community planning. On a weekly basis, Amy oversees everything from morning setup to packing to delivery of food to the schools. She also serves as the primary contact with Second Harvest Food Bank, where she places weekly food supply orders to fulfill the Provision Pack menu consisting of proteins, fruits, vegetables, starches, and grains, along with snacks. Amy is passionate about what she does, truly believes that all kids deserve a “fair chance,” and finds joy in helping those in need.
Without Provision Packs, many of these children and families we serve would simply be struggling on the weekends to find adequate food and nutrition. Amy says, “If we can lessen one burden on these families every week, why not help out?" If you are looking to support a local charity, Amy encourages you to check out Provision Packs. Under her tenure as Operations Manager, she hopes to continually expand Provision Packs to fulfill the hunger gap that exists for so many kids in our area.
She has taken the lead role in our current pantry remodeling capital campaign project. She has been instrumental in redesigning the pantry to make it a more efficient process. Amy has always said from day one, we should try and touch each food item only once. As part of the remodeling project, new industrial racking and decking was purchased allowing Provision Packs to remain in the current location while accommodating more than twice as many pallets of food. This upgrade will also allow Provision Packs to purchase food by the pallet from discount warehouses, like Costco and Sam's at discounted pricing. Another exciting part of this upgrade project was the purchase of a Raymond Edge Stacker, which allows the team to move pallets throughout the pantry with ease. For the past ten years, the Pantry has been operating with the sole use of one manual pallet jack.
In her spare time, Amy loves to play golf, watch sports, take photos, play word or card games, and spoil her nieces and nephews. For those of you who don’t know, Amy is a huge Wisconsin Sports Fan, cheering on her beloved Badgers, Brewers, and Packers.
Amy would like to personally invite anyone with an interest in helping children to come to the pantry and see what we do. She will be more than happy to give you a tour of Provision Packs and explain the program in detail. According to Amy, the most important thing to remember about Provision Packs, is that it truly is a community project. It takes a village to build and to keep this program successful.
Amy enthusiastically volunteers countless hours each week at the Pantry. She brings many skills to the table from her career and post-secondary education in community planning. On a weekly basis, Amy oversees everything from morning setup to packing to delivery of food to the schools. She also serves as the primary contact with Second Harvest Food Bank, where she places weekly food supply orders to fulfill the Provision Pack menu consisting of proteins, fruits, vegetables, starches, and grains, along with snacks. Amy is passionate about what she does, truly believes that all kids deserve a “fair chance,” and finds joy in helping those in need.
Without Provision Packs, many of these children and families we serve would simply be struggling on the weekends to find adequate food and nutrition. Amy says, “If we can lessen one burden on these families every week, why not help out?" If you are looking to support a local charity, Amy encourages you to check out Provision Packs. Under her tenure as Operations Manager, she hopes to continually expand Provision Packs to fulfill the hunger gap that exists for so many kids in our area.
She has taken the lead role in our current pantry remodeling capital campaign project. She has been instrumental in redesigning the pantry to make it a more efficient process. Amy has always said from day one, we should try and touch each food item only once. As part of the remodeling project, new industrial racking and decking was purchased allowing Provision Packs to remain in the current location while accommodating more than twice as many pallets of food. This upgrade will also allow Provision Packs to purchase food by the pallet from discount warehouses, like Costco and Sam's at discounted pricing. Another exciting part of this upgrade project was the purchase of a Raymond Edge Stacker, which allows the team to move pallets throughout the pantry with ease. For the past ten years, the Pantry has been operating with the sole use of one manual pallet jack.
In her spare time, Amy loves to play golf, watch sports, take photos, play word or card games, and spoil her nieces and nephews. For those of you who don’t know, Amy is a huge Wisconsin Sports Fan, cheering on her beloved Badgers, Brewers, and Packers.
Amy would like to personally invite anyone with an interest in helping children to come to the pantry and see what we do. She will be more than happy to give you a tour of Provision Packs and explain the program in detail. According to Amy, the most important thing to remember about Provision Packs, is that it truly is a community project. It takes a village to build and to keep this program successful.
Casey Epton Roush has been involved with Provision Packs for the past six years. She manages and coordinates all of our events, such as our Back Pack Bash, the upcoming Golf Tournament, the River Scramble, and more!
Casey said she loves the Provision Packs mission and that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smiles on the kids faces when they receive their packs—'they' are so proud to be taking food home to help feed their family'.
Casey said she loves the Provision Packs mission and that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smiles on the kids faces when they receive their packs—'they' are so proud to be taking food home to help feed their family'.
Dawn De Jesus has been associated with Provision Packs for the past four years. Currently, she is the secretary on the board of directors. Dawn personally sees the impact that Provision Packs has on the kids we serve. She packs and delivers the bags to Ortona Elementary, where she has been a volunteer for the past six years, as well as tags and passes out the bags to each of our students. "They not only look forward to receiving them, but are also empowered knowing they are bringing food home for their families. When you see the smiles on their faces, your heart grows within your chest," said Dawn.
Dawn was also the PTA President at Ortona Elementary for two years, the District Advisory Council Representative for several years, and she has been a SAC member as well.
Dawn was also the PTA President at Ortona Elementary for two years, the District Advisory Council Representative for several years, and she has been a SAC member as well.
Lara Butera joined the Provision Packs team in 2017 and was asked to be on the board in 2018. She served as the secretary for over a year, then became the volunteer coordinator.
She felt the pull to join after her second child was born and saw Carrie's video on Facebook explaining what Provision Packs does. She had no idea there were hungry children in our city. As a mother of two young children, Lara had a hard time imagining them being hungry or having to go without.
In addition to Lara's passion for helping others, she's good at volunteering and events, getting people to help out, contacting businesses, and putting gift baskets together for fundraisers. Since leaving the regular workforce, non-profit work has consumed all of her time. When people ask what she's up to, she is eager to tell them about Provision Packs! She enjoys being on the board and volunteering because "I love being able to see the difference we make in children's lives. I see the help we give. I know firsthand the difference that it makes."
She felt the pull to join after her second child was born and saw Carrie's video on Facebook explaining what Provision Packs does. She had no idea there were hungry children in our city. As a mother of two young children, Lara had a hard time imagining them being hungry or having to go without.
In addition to Lara's passion for helping others, she's good at volunteering and events, getting people to help out, contacting businesses, and putting gift baskets together for fundraisers. Since leaving the regular workforce, non-profit work has consumed all of her time. When people ask what she's up to, she is eager to tell them about Provision Packs! She enjoys being on the board and volunteering because "I love being able to see the difference we make in children's lives. I see the help we give. I know firsthand the difference that it makes."
Melissa Pitts and her husband Damion own Blue Chip Shutters & Blinds in Ormond Beach. They support every event that Provision Packs holds. Melissa has been a big part of the Provision Pack family for several years. She delivers bags to Holly Hill each week during the school year. She also serves as a great community supporter for Provision Packs.
Nicole Sherriff has been a state-certified school psychologist since 2008. She has a passion to support young students meet their full potential. Working closely with students in Flagler and Volusia counties, she hears and sees the hunger needs of local children and their families first-hand.
In 2015, after attending several Provision Pack events, she was inspired by the mission's impact and ease of accessibility for any family in need. "Provision Packs doesn't require any application or paperwork to start helping a family. If there is a need, it can immediately be met."
In 2021, Nicole began volunteering in various fundraising events to help PP expand their reach. She's served as a donation fundraiser for the silent auctions at the Backpack Bash, Provision Pack’s largest fundraising annual event. She also assists in event planning and execution for Provision Pack’s River Scramble.
In 2023, she was asked to officially join the board as the Provision Pack School Liaison. Having professional connections with school staff and administrators has enabled Provision Pack to reach families each week at the school they attend.
"I am so grateful to volunteer at such a wonderful organization. We feed children and families in need, one pack at a time."
In 2015, after attending several Provision Pack events, she was inspired by the mission's impact and ease of accessibility for any family in need. "Provision Packs doesn't require any application or paperwork to start helping a family. If there is a need, it can immediately be met."
In 2021, Nicole began volunteering in various fundraising events to help PP expand their reach. She's served as a donation fundraiser for the silent auctions at the Backpack Bash, Provision Pack’s largest fundraising annual event. She also assists in event planning and execution for Provision Pack’s River Scramble.
In 2023, she was asked to officially join the board as the Provision Pack School Liaison. Having professional connections with school staff and administrators has enabled Provision Pack to reach families each week at the school they attend.
"I am so grateful to volunteer at such a wonderful organization. We feed children and families in need, one pack at a time."
