All members are local residents and are quite involved in the practical running of the Food Pantry. Board members are elected for 3 year terms with no limit to the number of terms a member may serve. There are currently 11 board members serving the Food Pantry.
Cinda Martin
Cinda has served a total of 10 years on the Board of Directors; 5 years as Secretary and the past 3 years as Treasurer prior to taking the office of President. She is a retired loan officer most recently employed with FNBA. Her business skills are a great asset to the Board and she is a valuable link between the Food Pantry and the business community. She is an enthusiastic advocate and has used her influence in community circles to procure some generous grants.
Dale Barwick
Dale was new to the board in 2024 serving as a Director. Dale has a history of volunteering in a homeless shelter in Colorado. He resides in Homer most months of the year and volunteers at the pantry on Mondays during his time here. He has been very generous with personal grants to help fund additional food and milk for children and is instrumental in assisting with grocery ordering and organization.
Bette Seaman
Bette has been a volunteer of the Food Pantry for several years and joined the board of directors in January 2020. We are happy to take advantage of her 40 years of experience as a clinical dietician. She volunteers weekly to prep and distribute vegetables and often provides advice on healthy choices for clients. She is a member of the Alaska Food Council and serves on the board of the Kenai Food Bank.
Trish Alward
Trish was raised in Homer and understood the importance of giving back to her community at an early age. She has previously worked with Haven House managing the Child Care & Adult Food Program and the Child Care Assistance Program. Currently, she and her husband own and operate several businesses. Trish has 20 years experience in bookkeeping and brings fresh insights and community connections to the board. This is her first year serving.
Grace Hagen
Grace joined the board of directors in January 2019. She is a full-time mom to 4 toddlers and runs her husband’s commercial fishing and welding operations. She was raised in Homer and often volunteered as a teen; she has a passion for health and wellness. Grace also assists with grant writing and has been taking on more of the annual grant requests.
Deb Schmidt
Deb joined the board of directors in January 2022. She is a retired teacher and has lived in Homer for the past 29 years serving various local non-profits over the years. She has been a regular Monday distribution volunteer for the past 6 years and has been a great voice for clients on the board. Deb is also very involved with the Thursday group of volunteers that cook for our free fridge, she writes newsletters and letters to the paper and is a key person for ordering and managing in
Sage Anderson
Sage also joined the board as a director in 2024. She is a longtime volunteer at the pantry on Mondays, homeschools her children, and is a prolific event organizer. She has many connections in town that we are excited to tap into. She has been instrumental in expanding our fundraising efforts this past year and we look forward to her fresh ideas for the future.
Alex Koplin
Alex has lived in Homer since 1988 and has been a public-school teacher for over 40 years. He retired 8 years ago and has since substitute taught on the Kenai Peninsula and throughout Alaska. He has a strong belief that in order to provide excellent education, you must first provide adequate shelter, clothing and food. He is also a board member on the LWV of Alaska a member of Kenai Peninsula Votes. This is Alex’s first year on the board.
Ethan Smith
Ethan has lived in Homer for over 9 years and has been actively volunteering and donating food to the Pantry for the past few years. He has a big heart to feed people and get them back on their feet. He has most recently owned and operated the Coffeesmith Café and is an excellent chef. This is Ethan’s first year on the board.
Karen Nogle
Karen has been a registered nurse for over 38 years but is no stranger to food insecurity. In her early twenties, as a single mom without a plan, she relied on Aid to Families with Dependent Children in her state. Once she graduated from nursing school and began her career, she was able to wave goodbye but she never forgot. She is an advocate for nourishing children so that the community as a whole benefits.
Kary Brinson
Kary is new to the board of directors this year. She brings with her extensive experience with real estate.