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Thank you for your interest!
Thank you for your interest!
Rich Belanger
Food Recovery Driver
Rich joins CFC after spending the past three years of his retirement working for farms in Washington County. Born and raised in Maine, Rich worked in public relations for many years after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He has also worked for Grapes & Grains in East Greenbush and the Saratoga Wine Exchange. He and his wife Susan, who is from Greenwich, are enjoying the open spaces around their home in Argyle after spending several years teaching together in Morocco.
At CFC, Rich delivers food to schools, libraries, senior housing, and neighboring food pantries all around our service area. He also picks up recovered food from our retail partners weekly.
Phone: (929) 506-9171
Rich joins CFC after spending the past three years of his retirement working for farms in Washington County. Born and raised in Maine, Rich worked in public relations for many years after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He has also worked for Grapes & Grains in East Greenbush and the Saratoga Wine Exchange. He and his wife Susan, who is from Greenwich, are enjoying the open spaces around their home in Argyle after spending several years teaching together in Morocco.
At CFC, Rich delivers food to schools, libraries, senior housing, and neighboring food pantries all around our service area. He also picks up recovered food from our retail partners weekly.
Phone: (929) 506-9171
Mary Beranek
Food Recovery Coordinator
Mary grew up in Greenwich and after living on the West Coast, in Massachusetts, Michigan, and spending some time travelling abroad, she is happy to be back in the area with her family. Mary has a degree in cultural anthropology and cross-cultural sociology along with years of experience in farming and agriculture management. Mary is also a certified Birth and Post-partum Doula.
Mary is passionate about eliminating hunger and food waste. At CFC, she deals with surplus food management and operational support, data management and reporting, partner organization relationship management, and volunteer and event organization.
Phone: (929) 502-7520
Mary grew up in Greenwich and after living on the West Coast, in Massachusetts, Michigan, and spending some time travelling abroad, she is happy to be back in the area with her family. Mary has a degree in cultural anthropology and cross-cultural sociology along with years of experience in farming and agriculture management. Mary is also a certified Birth and Post-partum Doula.
Mary is passionate about eliminating hunger and food waste. At CFC, she deals with surplus food management and operational support, data management and reporting, partner organization relationship management, and volunteer and event organization.
Phone: (929) 502-7520
Wendy Bordwell
Office Administrator
Wendy brings an eclectic professional background with experience in the fields of event promotion, performing arts, hospitality, and non-profit administration. She studied Theater Arts at Bennington College and has experience promoting large arena concerts with Northeast Concerts/Metropolitan Entertainment. She has connected with the community through her roles as Director and Performer at Hubbard Hall, Director of the Georgi on the Battenkill Community Park and Museum, and Museum Associate. Wendy lives along the Battenkill River with her dog, Juno and two cats.
As the Office Administrator, Wendy manages day-to-day operations of the CFC main office, financial administration, and human resources. She is excited to be part of a talented team making a difference in people's lives by ensuring that those in need have access to essential basic resources, such as food.
Phone: (929) 506-9231
Wendy brings an eclectic professional background with experience in the fields of event promotion, performing arts, hospitality, and non-profit administration. She studied Theater Arts at Bennington College and has experience promoting large arena concerts with Northeast Concerts/Metropolitan Entertainment. She has connected with the community through her roles as Director and Performer at Hubbard Hall, Director of the Georgi on the Battenkill Community Park and Museum, and Museum Associate. Wendy lives along the Battenkill River with her dog, Juno and two cats.
As the Office Administrator, Wendy manages day-to-day operations of the CFC main office, financial administration, and human resources. She is excited to be part of a talented team making a difference in people's lives by ensuring that those in need have access to essential basic resources, such as food.
Phone: (929) 506-9231
Jeffrey Bowers
Food Center Manager
Jeff is a Washington County resident and former goat farmer. In addition to his history in goat cheese-making, Jeff is one of the creators of the Washington County Cheese Tour, which is one of the most highly-attended agritourism events in the area. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Farmer's Market and Grassland Bird Trust, a local non-profit organization protecting important bird habitats.
At CFC, Jeff manages the Greenwich and Cossayuna food pantry services, coordinates volunteers, facilitates food intake, and manages pantry guest records.
Phone: (518) 746-4118
Jeff is a Washington County resident and former goat farmer. In addition to his history in goat cheese-making, Jeff is one of the creators of the Washington County Cheese Tour, which is one of the most highly-attended agritourism events in the area. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Farmer's Market and Grassland Bird Trust, a local non-profit organization protecting important bird habitats.
At CFC, Jeff manages the Greenwich and Cossayuna food pantry services, coordinates volunteers, facilitates food intake, and manages pantry guest records.
Phone: (518) 746-4118
Lyndsey Brainerd
Community Health Outreach Coordinator
Originally from Cambridge, New York, Lyndsey spent five years in Missouri receiving her master’s in public health and working in the state’s refugee resettlement program before returning home.
Lyndsey is passionate about understanding the systemic and historical sources of health inequity, particularly relating to food security and social determinants of health. At CFC, she manages two produce prescription programs, working with health care providers and local food producers to connect chronic illness patients who are food insecure with nutritious and local foods. She also helps facilitate wraparound services from other organizations and programs that address health-related social needs by providing resource navigation and referrals for clients across CFC programs. With a love for upstate New York, Lyndsey is excited to get involved in the community in this role!
Phone: (518) 530-9299
Originally from Cambridge, New York, Lyndsey spent five years in Missouri receiving her master’s in public health and working in the state’s refugee resettlement program before returning home.
Lyndsey is passionate about understanding the systemic and historical sources of health inequity, particularly relating to food security and social determinants of health. At CFC, she manages two produce prescription programs, working with health care providers and local food producers to connect chronic illness patients who are food insecure with nutritious and local foods. She also helps facilitate wraparound services from other organizations and programs that address health-related social needs by providing resource navigation and referrals for clients across CFC programs. With a love for upstate New York, Lyndsey is excited to get involved in the community in this role!
Phone: (518) 530-9299
Laura Marx
Executive Director
Laura is a dynamic, versatile, and compassionate nonprofit leader experienced in growing and strengthening organizations while remaining aligned with mission, passion, and purpose. Her 26+ years of diversified experience brings a unique perspective to nonprofit management and leadership. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Laura is passionate about bringing equitable opportunities and access to under-resourced communities. She resides in East Greenbush, NY with her husband, three children, and her fur baby.
Email: laura@comfortfoodcommunity.org
Phone: (929) 502-7519
Laura is a dynamic, versatile, and compassionate nonprofit leader experienced in growing and strengthening organizations while remaining aligned with mission, passion, and purpose. Her 26+ years of diversified experience brings a unique perspective to nonprofit management and leadership. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Laura is passionate about bringing equitable opportunities and access to under-resourced communities. She resides in East Greenbush, NY with her husband, three children, and her fur baby.
Email: laura@comfortfoodcommunity.org
Phone: (929) 502-7519
Alyssa Place
Communications Coordinator
Originally from South Glens Falls, New York, Alyssa lived in Indiana for three years of graduate school studying sociology. She has experience as an undergraduate instructor and research assistant, as well as managing social media for a metaphysical shop. In her free time, you can find her reading tarot cards and spending time with her cat, Rei.
Alyssa's role at CFC combines her love of social service with her passion for connecting with people through social media. She manages and creates content for the CFC social media and website, designs marketing material, writes and distributes press, and facilitates organizational outreach.
Phone: (518) 649-9159
Originally from South Glens Falls, New York, Alyssa lived in Indiana for three years of graduate school studying sociology. She has experience as an undergraduate instructor and research assistant, as well as managing social media for a metaphysical shop. In her free time, you can find her reading tarot cards and spending time with her cat, Rei.
Alyssa's role at CFC combines her love of social service with her passion for connecting with people through social media. She manages and creates content for the CFC social media and website, designs marketing material, writes and distributes press, and facilitates organizational outreach.
Phone: (518) 649-9159
Carolyn Shapiro
Nutrition Education Coordinator
Raised outside of NYC, Carolyn has always had a passion for home cooked meals and the healing power of food. She moved upstate in 2011 to study political science at Skidmore College and has since been on a mission to help people reconnect with their food. Carolyn has worked at farms, farmers markets, and Caffe Lena. She now lives in Glens Falls with her partner and two dogs and spends her time playing banjo, baking bread, gardening, and foraging.
At CFC, Carolyn runs the Fresh Food Farmacy in partnership with Hudson Headwaters Health Network. She also focuses on nutrition education, hosting cooking demonstrations and creating recipes and meal kits for pantry guests and partner agencies.
Phone: (518) 746-4063
Raised outside of NYC, Carolyn has always had a passion for home cooked meals and the healing power of food. She moved upstate in 2011 to study political science at Skidmore College and has since been on a mission to help people reconnect with their food. Carolyn has worked at farms, farmers markets, and Caffe Lena. She now lives in Glens Falls with her partner and two dogs and spends her time playing banjo, baking bread, gardening, and foraging.
At CFC, Carolyn runs the Fresh Food Farmacy in partnership with Hudson Headwaters Health Network. She also focuses on nutrition education, hosting cooking demonstrations and creating recipes and meal kits for pantry guests and partner agencies.
Phone: (518) 746-4063
Joanna Tebbano
Food Recovery Manager
Joanna's meandering path has included stints in light manufacturing, grocery, vegan cooking and, with the most fervor, as a farm hand on various farms in Saratoga, Rensselaer and Washington counties. A passion for food and people has directed her endeavors. When not in the gardens, Joanna enjoys time with her family and friends, cooking, weaving, crafting, reading, bird watching, swimming, running, and listening to music.
At CFC, Joanna coordinates food donation, organizes farm gleans, manages food intake and distribution, and tracks and reports data.
Phone: (518) 900-5004
Joanna's meandering path has included stints in light manufacturing, grocery, vegan cooking and, with the most fervor, as a farm hand on various farms in Saratoga, Rensselaer and Washington counties. A passion for food and people has directed her endeavors. When not in the gardens, Joanna enjoys time with her family and friends, cooking, weaving, crafting, reading, bird watching, swimming, running, and listening to music.
At CFC, Joanna coordinates food donation, organizes farm gleans, manages food intake and distribution, and tracks and reports data.
Phone: (518) 900-5004
Lisa Wilson
Food & Farm Hub Account Manager
Lisa spent years professionally cooking, baking and farming with locally minded folks before joining CFC. She has a degree in sustainable agriculture and certificates in holistic landscape design & permaculture. In her free time Lisa enjoys swimming in the sea, gardening with family and leather crafting. Most often she will be found in the company of her dog child Loa!
Lisa's role at CFC combines her food and farming skills with her excitement for community and food justice. She oversees the Farm 2 School program, manages grants, and performs operational supervisory tasks.
Phone: (518) 538-3522
Lisa spent years professionally cooking, baking and farming with locally minded folks before joining CFC. She has a degree in sustainable agriculture and certificates in holistic landscape design & permaculture. In her free time Lisa enjoys swimming in the sea, gardening with family and leather crafting. Most often she will be found in the company of her dog child Loa!
Lisa's role at CFC combines her food and farming skills with her excitement for community and food justice. She oversees the Farm 2 School program, manages grants, and performs operational supervisory tasks.
Phone: (518) 538-3522
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Robert Wright
President
Bob recently retired after 45 plus years in the field of organizational operations in both healthcare and higher education. Having grown up on a small dairy farm in Easton, he has healthy respect for the local food industry and its impact on the community. Wanting to find a way to engage with a community organization, he joined the board in May of 2023. Bob lives in the village of Greenwich with his wife Smith Ann.
Bob recently retired after 45 plus years in the field of organizational operations in both healthcare and higher education. Having grown up on a small dairy farm in Easton, he has healthy respect for the local food industry and its impact on the community. Wanting to find a way to engage with a community organization, he joined the board in May of 2023. Bob lives in the village of Greenwich with his wife Smith Ann.
Shannon Klingebiel
Vice President
Shannon lives in the Schuylerville area and has strong family ties to Washington County. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, she is passionate about ensuring people have access to nourishing food and a strong understanding of how their food choices impact their health. She volunteers with the food pantry and is excited to be a part of the Fresh Food Farmacy, Student Nutrition and Edible Education initiatives at CFC.
Shannon lives in the Schuylerville area and has strong family ties to Washington County. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, she is passionate about ensuring people have access to nourishing food and a strong understanding of how their food choices impact their health. She volunteers with the food pantry and is excited to be a part of the Fresh Food Farmacy, Student Nutrition and Edible Education initiatives at CFC.
Tracey Martin
Secretary
Tracey is passionate about hunger relief. She has worked in various positions at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York for more than 35 years. She joined the Board of Comfort Food Community in 2020 as a way to connect locally and give back to her community. She lives in Cossayuna with her cat and in her spare time enjoys walks and long drives to out-of-the-way places in the beautiful northeast.
Tracey is passionate about hunger relief. She has worked in various positions at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York for more than 35 years. She joined the Board of Comfort Food Community in 2020 as a way to connect locally and give back to her community. She lives in Cossayuna with her cat and in her spare time enjoys walks and long drives to out-of-the-way places in the beautiful northeast.
Patrick Gunty
Treasurer
Pat grew up in the Capital Region and currently works for the New York State budget division. His fiscal background makes him a great fit for the finance committee. Pat's proud of the organization's emphasis on utilizing local, healthy food to support the community and he thoroughly enjoys working alongside the staff and other board members who all work passionately to carry out this mission.
Pat grew up in the Capital Region and currently works for the New York State budget division. His fiscal background makes him a great fit for the finance committee. Pat's proud of the organization's emphasis on utilizing local, healthy food to support the community and he thoroughly enjoys working alongside the staff and other board members who all work passionately to carry out this mission.
Joseph Donahue
With deep roots in Washington County spanning over four decades, Joe has established himself as a proud resident and active member of the community. His significant role as a senior advisor and host for WAMC/Northeast Public Radio has allowed him to forge strong connections with local organizations fighting against food insecurity in the Capital Region. Joe's unwavering dedication to hunger relief has seen him leading initiatives to raise both awareness and funds, making him an advocate for positive change.
Jill Eaton
Jill has lived in Greenwich her entire life. She spent 35 years as an Occupational Therapist, making a difference in the lives of many children and adults. She recently retired, and now spends her time with her family, volunteering, and traveling. She has enjoyed volunteering at the Cossayuna Pantry and looks forward to continuing to help make a difference in the lives of those who have food insecurity.
Cristi Flanigan
Growing up on her family’s dairy farm in Washington County, Cristi's love of agriculture started early. For the past 23 years, she has worked as a credit analyst for Farm Credit East in Greenwich. In the past, Cristi served on the Washington County Cornell Cooperative Extension Board. Currently, she serves on the finance committee here at CFC. Cristi is passionate about our services that provide fresh and healthy food to our community members, support local farmers, and reduce food waste.
John Golde
John Golde has been a resident of Greenwich since 1985, where he and his wife, Cyndy Barbone, raised their two sons. John is a semi-retired consulting electrical engineer, and operates Golde Engineering, P.C. from their home. Mr. Golde is active in several professional organizations and coached youth hockey and soccer as his sons were growing up. He has run the Tri-County MATHCOUNTS program since the 1990’s.
Andrea Harrington
Andrea Harrington, resides in Hebron with her husband and college-aged children. Andrea graduated from Siena College and has been employed by Glens Falls National Bank for the last 14 years. She has sat on the board of various organizations in the area including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Salem Central School, Washington County Dairy Princess, Salem Youth Sports, and Cambridge-Salem Football. In addition to this board, she is a current member of the Salem Ag Advisory Board.
Tracey Hitchen Boyd
Bringing experience in government and environmental finance, Tracey is inspired by CFC’s “can-do” approach and sustainable, respectful solutions and is committed to helping eliminate local hunger. She grew up in Washington County, in a family that worked on dairy farms and in slate quarries for generations, and with an appreciation for quality food and a stable environment. Tracey and her husband, Don, live in Cambridge where they raised two children and enjoy cycling, hiking and community activities.
Catherine Littell
Catherine lives in Greenwich and works in web development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A weekly volunteer for the Greenwich Food Pantry, she currently serves on the Board’s Development and Strategic Planning committees. Catherine is proud to be part of CFC’s mission to provide community members in need access to fresh, wholesome food.
Susan Sanderson
Susan is a Founding member of CFC. She retired after a 20-year career in retail management and a 15-year career in nonprofit fundraising and management. For Susan, "community" is the most important part of Comfort Food Community.
Rebecca Sparks
Rebecca’s involvement with hunger relief spans four decades. Her MS in nutrition education and Registered Dietitian certification from Columbia University Teachers College led to her involvement with Westside Campaign Against Hunger, one of the largest and most innovative food pantries in NYC. Rebecca also taught Community Nutrition and Nutrition Education at NYU for 13 years and has worked with Head Start to develop menus and encourage healthy eating. She has been in Shushan since around 2008, relocating fully with her retirement in 2018. She is very happy to bring her skills and enthusiasm to CFC.
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