Southington Bread for Life, the local food program which serves the community’s neediest residents, recently announced new officers have been selected for the organization’s board of directors. They are: Mike Soltys, chairman; William McDougall, vice-chairman; David Donnelly, treasurer; and Kate Colonero, secretary.
McDougall has served as board chairman for the past 5-1/2 years. Other board members are John Barry, Gloria Colonero, Karen DiGirolamo, Amy King Fontaine, Sharon Kastner, Sue King, Carol Ladd, Shirley Mason, Bob McMillan, Kathy Reinhard and Bill Violette.
Eldon Hafford, Bread for Life executive director, said, “It has been a great privilege for me to have worked with Bill McDougall, a talented individual whose expertise and leadership was very helpful from day one. In his new capacity as fundraiser for our new building and future plans, his talents will help us reach our goals.”
Find out what's happening in Southingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Bill McDougall has done an outstanding job building Bread for Life to meet the escalating need for food in our community,” Soltys said. “He will continue to provide a vital role for us as we look to fund and build our much-needed home.”
Earlier this year, Bread for Life officials announced that St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has agreed to sell to the organization a parcel of land on Vermont Avenue where a new facility will be built. It will provide a central location for the soup kitchen, dining room, food storage and offices.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The request for services has steadily increased over the years. In 2013 alone, 36,000 meals and food were provided for qualified clients. At the soup kitchen, 20 patrons on average are served each weekday. Meals are also delivered to the homebound and senior housing complexes and the organization co-sponsors the student breakfast program at Southington Public Schools in addition to other services.
McDougall said he is proud of what Bread for Life accomplished recently. “I am very pleased that Mike Soltys is taking over the role as chairman. Our great organization will be in fine and capable hands and will continue to achieve our one and only goal that no one may go hungry,” he said.
Soltys, who is vice president, corporate communications at ESPN, said it is an honor to serve as chairman. “Bread for Life fills a meaningful role for Southington and I look forward to helping to continue to fulfill its mission,” he said.
For more information about Bread for Life, visit the website www.southingtonbreadforlife.com.
