JoCoLibrary

Going Hungry in Hard Times Panelists

Karen Haren, Harvesters

Karen has been involved in hunger relief and hunger advocacy for 23 years. She served on the Harvesters’ board of directors for 11 years, including three years as board president. In 1999, Karen was named Harvesters’ executive director, and in 2007 she was named president & CEO. Prior to her staff positions with Harvesters, she spent more than 20 years in nonprofit agency management in organizations serving youth. 

In April 2009, Karen received the 2009 Executive Director of the Year award from Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network.
Karen was named a “Local Hero” by Ingram’s Magazine in 2008 and received the Herman and Dorothy Johnson Award for Outstanding Public Service presented by the Missouri Association of Social Welfare (MASW) in May of 2009.

Karen grew up in Montana and graduated from Chapman University in Orange, California with a BA in home economics. She has a MBA from Rockhurst College in Kansas City.

Harvesters-The Community Food Network distributed nearly 32.5 million pounds of food last year to more than 550 non-profit organizations in 26 counties. Each week more than 60,000 people receive food assistance through Harvesters’ network, making it the largest source of food for nonprofit agencies in the region. Harvesters’ mission is to acquire and distribute the food to non-profit agencies and to educate the community on the issue of hunger and possible solutions. 

Linda Rogers, Johnson County Human Services, Garder Multi-Service Center

Linda is the Community Social Service Manager of the Gardner Multi-Service Center.  A graduate of Washburn University with a degree in Human Service, she brings to the table nearly 20 years experience of working with low income families in Johnson County.
A native of New Orleans, and a resident of Johnson County for 25 years, Linda is passionate about her job.  Her experience in both emergency assistance as well as Case Management has given her a comprehensive knowledge of the resources available to Johnson County residents.   

The Gardner Multi-Service Center is one of six centers operated by the Johnson County Department of Human Services.  The centers coordinate community, educational, recreational and social service programs for the residents of Johnson County.

Lisa Ousley, Director, Society of St. Andrew’s Western Headquarters

Lisa has been involved in hunger relief for over 20 years, largely as a volunteer for Harvesters and Foodchain – the National Food-Rescue Network. She also has an extensive background in corporate communications, marketing and public relations, skills that translate well as she partners with a diverse group of SoSA West stakeholders who are working toward a common goal.

Lisa opened the Western Headquarters of the Society of St. Andrew in Kansas City in May 2008, with a mission of salvaging fresh, nutritious produce to feed people in need. SoSA West works with farmers, growers and other produce handlers to get excess and graded-out fruits and vegetables to food banks and agencies feeding people in need. SoSA West is partnering with Harvesters to increase the availability of nutritious produce for people living in poverty in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

Lisa is a native of Kansas City. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Ozarks and served as a newspaper reporter before going into corporate communications and marketing.

John Hornbeck, Episcopal Community Services / Hunger Relief Network
 
John is the Director of Community Relations and Marketing for Episcopal Community Services.  He has over 20 years of experience in working in hunger relief and other services for low income and homeless people, much of that work focused on volunteer efforts.  He is currently a co-chair for the Agency Relations Committee for Mid-America Assistance Coalition, a member of the Kansas City Homeless Services Coalition, and a member of the Advisory Board for SOSA-West.  He also functions as the coordinator for the Episcopal Hunger Relief Network, which includes hunger relief ministries in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri.

Episcopal Community Services is a non-profit corporation that focuses entirely on hunger relief.  Through their Episcopal Hunger Relief Network, ECS partners with Episcopal parishes in Kansas and Missouri, plus other faith-based ministries and social service agencies.  Their combined programs will serve approximately one million meals in 2009.  These include on-site dining and kitchen facilities (including the largest in the Kansas City area), food pantries, Meals-on-Wheels, and specialized programs for children, senior citizens and the disabled.  We also operate Culinary Cornerstones Chef Training School, as well as a community catering program.