Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
2279 South Airport Road W. Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone (231) 995-7723 Fax (231) 922-2053
Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan ~ Putting good food to good use.
About Food Rescue :::
Copyright 2008-2011 - Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
Advisory Board
Bruce L. Byl
Bruce works with Northwestern Bank, focusing on real estate and special projects. In addition, he is a consultant to Bay Meadows Golf Course and serves as a Director for Northwestern Bank and Metalworks Corporation. His non-profit involvement includes positions as Chair of NMC’s Foundation and Co-Chair of NMC’s ’07 & ’08 Annual Community Campaign. He is a member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church where he has served on and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee since 2001.
“I’m involved because I want to help make a meaningful, positive difference in our community by helping others who are less fortunate.”
Rebecca Mang
As a geriatric nurse, Rebecca has always been concerned for the health and well being of others. She has chaired the steering committee of Safe Harbor Shelter, an ecumenical ministry which provides emergency housing for the homeless. She also serves as a member on the board of directors of The Family Partnership Outreach, a mentoring program which is an outgrowth of the Poverty Reduction Initiative. Rebecca is a member of the Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church. In addition, her love of the outdoors and concern for the environment has led to involvement with the Plant Rescue program as well as the Master Gardener and the Michigan Conservation Stewards programs.
Cecil R. McNally
Cecil is Executive Director of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. Goodwill focus is on removing barriers to independence. They operate the largest homeless shelter in Northern Michigan, provide food to the shelter and community, and offer other programs to address the needs of the community. He is a member of Rotary, and has served on the Traverse City Planning Commission, Bayfront Planning Committee, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as Goodwill.
"I see Food Rescue as a means to help meet the growing need that we see in the community for food. It is a tool to provide healthier meals for people in need."
Homer Nye
Homer has been the senior pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City since 1977. During that time he has served on many non-profit boards including the Boys and Girls Club, Leadership Grand Traverse, Munson Hospital Institutional Review Board, and the Community Corrections Committee. Currently he is a trustee of Rotary Charities and of the Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation. Homer is also on the Advisory Board of the Carl's Foundation.
George Powell
George is an owner/founder of Great Lakes International Trading, Inc. an import/export
company, specializing in dried and processed fruits, nuts and seeds for over 25 years.
His non-profit experience includes Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation,
TC Noon Rotary Club, Rotary Camps and Services, Rotary Charities and the
Pickleball Ambassador for Northern Michigan. George is also a member of the Goodwill Board of Directors.
“Re-distributing fresh food , that would otherwise be thrown away, makes such perfect sense”
Jim Rowlett
After 38 years in the chemical industry with The Dow Chemical Company, the Rowletts retired to Traverse City in 1993. Since then, Jim has been an active member of the Maritime Heritage Alliance and the Economic Club of Traverse City. Jim was one of the founders of the Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative, presently co-chairman of the initiative. When it comes to food, Jim leads the Traverse City Cherry Tomato Association as Head Tomato.
Barbara Rowlett
Describing herself as a Community Volunteer, Barbara is currently a member of the United Way Board (serving on the Governance and Grant Committees), a Navigator for the Poverty Reduction Initiative and a mentor with husband, Jim, in the Family Partnership Program. She is Treasurer of Old Mission Women’s Club and a member of the Women’s Investment Club. For fun there is bridge, golf and skiing!
Val Stone
Val Stone, a Community Services Coordinator with Northwest Mi Community Action for 24 years, has also been the facilitator of the Northwest Food Coalition since its inception 15 years ago. She also serves on Boards for Salvation Army, Love, INC, and is treasurer for G.T. Baby Pantry.
“Hunger and poverty issues have always been my passion and Food Rescue is a wonderful resource to help alleviate those problems. What a great way to help the donor and the needy client at the same time. “
Jay Youngflesh
Jay is retired after 40 years in the corrugated box industry. After moving here in 2005 he has become active in several non-profit organizations including Stream Search for GT Watershed Council, District Director on the BOD for MUCC (Michigan United Conservation Clubs), and a volunteer for NMC Continuing Ed Program. He is a member of Faith Reformed Church in Traverse City.
“I believe it is my responsibility to give something back to the community where I live. I can think of nothing better than to help those in need.“
Sharron L. Zimmerman
Program Director - Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
Sharron's previous administrative experience included serving as Operations Manager for Michigan Community Blood Centers from 1995 at its inception until 2008.
She is an active Rotarian having served on the club board as director, Rotary Camps and Services, Youth Exchange Officer; currently serving as chair of World Community Service for her club and on the district board for World Community Service. She is an active member of Feast of Victory Lutheran church where she is a member of Contemporary Choir, and currently serving as Core Team Leader for Church and Society and as a Stephens Ministry Leader.
Norm Bamberg
Serving as a volunteer at the Father Fred Foundation led to Norm’s current position as the Operations Director. Norm has many and varied skills and experiences that derive in part from a background of military service and the traveling that serving in the military entails. He is an avid gardener, fisher and hunter. A basic distaste for living wastefully and squandering the Earth’s resources makes Norm a good fit with Food Rescue.
Sandi McArthur
Having come from a Nursing background, Sandi believes she has the best job ever combining her love of helping people with her passion for great food. In her role as Education and Outreach Coordinator for Oryana Natural Foods Market, she combines those two passions while helping people realize the relationship between food and health and reconnecting folks to the joy of eating real, whole,
organic food.
As an avid environmentalist and humanitarian, Sandi also believes that food is a basic human right and that no one should go to bed hungry in our community.
This is why Food Rescue is so important to our community, ensuring that food is not wasted but gets to those in need. I'm very proud to be part of this great organization.
Cathy Cooley-Wedow
Cathy works for Sysco Food Services in Northern Michigan as the Director of Business Review. She has spent her entire career of over 30 years in the Food Service Industry!
She actively serves on the advisory board of the NMC Culinary Institute and is a frequent guest speaker to student groups.
“I volunteer on our Food Rescue Education Committee, helping select recipes with fresh ingredients, providing samples & knowledge for those less fortunate. We have several teams of volunteers helping to grow our cause.”
Paul Guyon
Paul credits his parents for his natural gravitation towards generosity; however, it was his entrepreneurial spirit that called him to Food Rescue.
He is the creator and author of the successful Food to the Rescue Cookbook. His idea for the cookbook coincided with the launch of Food Rescue and both generated attention from the media and attracted support from the community.
"I told them I wanted to create a cookbook to raise money for their cause and I would do all the work! Thankfully, they accepted my proposal!” says Guyon.
Paul is currently the editor of the Food Rescue Matters newsletter, which publishes
three times a year.
