Shenandoah Amereihn, better known as Meep, is a freshman at Forest Park High School who has made a lasting impact at *So What Else* (SWE) this summer. Since June, Meep has wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to give back to her community by volunteering her time and talents to SWE’s mission of service.
Meep’s journey at SWE began with a simple yet crucial task: folding clothes at SWE’s Resource Storefront, Baltimore’s entirely free thrift store that provides clothing for men, women, and children of all sizes and needs. But her contributions quickly expanded as she showed her willingness to pitch in wherever help was needed. From assisting with food distribution to maintaining the tidiness of the resource area, Meep proved to be a reliable and hardworking volunteer.
One of Meep’s standout contributions this summer has been her involvement in a community mural project. When SWE staff decided to transform the hallways of the Resource Center into a vibrant, collaborative mural celebrating Baltimore, Meep was ready to roll up her sleeves. Working alongside other volunteers, Meep helped design and sketch the paint-by-number system that would guide future participants in bringing the mural to life. Her artistic input was a key element in making this project not only a creative endeavor but also a meaningful representation of the local community.
Meep’s commitment to service didn’t stop there. Her passion for giving back inspired her entire family—her mother, father, and brother—who now volunteer with SWE multiple times a week. It’s a testament to Meep’s leadership and the way she embodies the spirit of service.
Most recently, Meep has taken on an even greater responsibility, reaching out to local businesses and community members to gather donations for SWE. Her proactive approach and her constant question, “So what else can I do to help?” have made a significant impact on expanding SWE’s reach and capacity to serve those in need.
Meep’s dedication, positivity, and unwavering commitment to helping others serve as an inspiration to all of us. Thank you, Meep, for being such a bright light in the SWE community and for embodying the very essence of service and generosity.
In 2009, our nonprofit began with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide after-school and summer camp programs for underserved communities in the DMV area. For ten years we thrived, creating a safe and enriching environment for countless children. However, when the pandemic hit, everything changed. We found ourselves at a crossroads, asking our youth communities the question: “What else can we do to help?”
With food initially intended for our programs and a pressing need in our community, we decided to pivot to the most basic of needs . What started as a few tents setups for food pickups quickly grew into something much larger. By transforming our resources and operations, we began distributing meals to our children and their families, addressing a profound need that the pandemic had increased. In delivering to those original communities more folks came out and more communities had needs.
Fast forward four years, and we’ve achieved something remarkable: 75,000,000 meals provided to those in need. This monumental effort has become one of our most significant impacts, reflecting our unwavering commitment to our community. Our team works tirelessly, day and night, to rescue good food and ensure it reaches the people who need it most. While our resources are limited, our dedication and compassion know no bounds.
The need for our services continues to grow, and to meet this demand, we rely on the support of our communities and beyond. Your contributions, whether in-kind or monetary, are crucial. They support us to sustain our mission, expand our reach, and provide essential resources to those who need them most.
In these challenging times, our story is a testament to the power of adaptability, community, and compassion. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one meal at a time!
We are asking you to support this transformational food effort and help us sustain the infrastructure and proven programs and partnerships we have stood up.
https://sowhatelse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Image_20240823_183340_064-rotated.jpeg40323024Valeria Fuenteshttps://dwd.ubp.mybluehost.me/website_b4b2b825/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.pngValeria Fuentes2024-09-04 16:41:542024-09-13 20:47:58Our Hunger Relief Story: How We Served 75 million Meals in 4 Years
Hunger remains a pressing issue in communities worldwide. However, local farms and businesses play a crucial role in combating this problem through partnerships with food banks. These collaborations are vital in ensuring that food is distributed effectively and efficiently to those in need. This blog explores how these partnerships work, their benefits, and how they make a significant impact on fighting hunger.
The Role of Local Farms in Supporting Food Banks
Local farms are the backbone of many food banks’ supply chains. Here’s how they contribute:
Direct Donations: Farms often donate fresh produce, dairy products, and meats. These items are essential as they provide nutritious food options that food banks need to support a balanced diet for recipients.
Regular Supply: Many farms establish regular donation schedules, ensuring a consistent flow of fresh goods. This helps food banks manage their inventory better and plan distribution more effectively.
Seasonal Produce: Farms contribute seasonal fruits and vegetables, offering a variety of options throughout the year. This seasonal variety helps prevent food banks from relying on processed foods and allows them to provide diverse food options.
How Businesses Can Support Food Banks
Businesses, whether large or small, can also make significant contributions. Here’s how:
Financial Contributions: Monetary donations from businesses allow food banks to purchase necessary items in bulk and cover operational costs. These funds are crucial for maintaining food bank operations.
Product Donations: Businesses in various sectors, such as retail, manufacturing, and restaurants, can donate surplus goods, packaged foods, or prepared meals.
Volunteering: Many businesses encourage their employees to volunteer at local food banks, providing both labor and community engagement.
The Benefits of Partnering with Food Banks
Partnerships between local farms, businesses, and food banks offer numerous advantages:
Community Impact: These partnerships help ensure that food is available to those in need, reducing hunger and improving overall community well-being.
Resource Optimization: Farms and businesses can reduce food waste by donating surplus or unsellable items, which are otherwise discarded.
Enhanced Visibility: Participating in food bank partnerships can enhance the visibility and reputation of farms and businesses as community-focused entities.
Strengthened Relationships: Collaborations build stronger ties within the community, fostering goodwill and cooperation among local stakeholders.
Challenges and Solutions in Partnering with Food Banks
Partnering with food banks offers numerous benefits, but it also comes with its set of challenges. Understanding these challenges and finding effective solutions can help ensure that these partnerships are successful and impactful. Here’s a closer look at some common issues and how they can be addressed:
Logistics and Transportation
Challenge: Coordinating the transportation of food from farms and businesses to food banks can be complex. This includes scheduling pickups, managing routes, and ensuring that the food arrives in a timely manner and in good condition.
Problem Areas:
Timing: Aligning donation schedules with food bank needs.
Capacity: Ensuring transportation resources can handle the volume of donations.
Condition: Maintaining food quality during transit.
Solution: Implementing streamlined logistics processes and working closely with local transportation providers can help address these challenges.
Steps to Improve Logistics:
Partnerships with Transportation Services: Collaborate with local logistics companies or trucking services to facilitate efficient transportation.
Optimized Routing: Use route optimization software to ensure timely and cost-effective deliveries.
Scheduling Coordination: Set up regular schedules for pickups and deliveries to maintain consistency and reliability.
Food Safety and Quality
Challenge: Ensuring that donated food meets safety and quality standards is crucial. This involves maintaining proper storage conditions and verifying that the food is safe for consumption.
Problem Areas:
Storage Conditions: Keeping perishable items at the correct temperatures.
Quality Control: Checking for expiration dates and food safety issues.
Handling: Preventing contamination during sorting and distribution.
Solution: Adhering to stringent food safety guidelines and working closely with food banks can help ensure that donations are safe and high-quality.
Steps to Ensure Food Safety:
Compliance with Guidelines: Follow food safety regulations set by health authorities.
Training: Provide training for staff involved in handling and transporting food.
Inspection Procedures: Implement regular inspections and quality checks to ensure food safety.
Coordination
Challenge: Effective communication between farms, businesses, and food banks is essential for successful partnerships. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and inefficient operations.
Problem Areas:
Information Sharing: Keeping all parties informed about donation schedules and needs.
Conflict Resolution: Addressing issues or conflicts that arise promptly.
Alignment of Goals: Ensuring that all partners have a shared understanding of objectives and processes.
Solution: Establishing clear communication channels and holding regular meetings can help improve coordination and address any issues promptly.
Steps to Enhance Coordination:
Regular Meetings: Schedule frequent meetings to discuss logistics, expectations, and any challenges.
Communication Tools: Utilize communication platforms and project management tools to streamline information sharing.
Clear Agreements: Develop and document agreements outlining roles, responsibilities, and procedures to avoid misunderstandings.
By addressing these challenges with practical solutions, partnerships between local farms, businesses, and food banks can become more efficient and effective, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more resilient community effort to combat hunger.
How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in partnering with a food bank, here are steps you can take:
Contact Local Food Banks: Reach out to local food banks to understand their needs and how you can assist.
Organize Donation Drives: Set up food drives within your community or business to gather donations for food banks.
Volunteer Your Time: Offer to volunteer at food banks to help with sorting, packing, and distribution.
Promote Awareness: Use your platforms to raise awareness about the importance of food banks and encourage others to get involved.
Promoting Effective Partnerships: A Role for So What Else?
So What Else? is dedicated to fostering community-driven solutions to hunger and other pressing issues. By promoting effective partnerships between local farms, businesses, and food banks, So What Else? helps streamline efforts and amplify the impact of each contribution.
Why Partner with So What Else?:
Expertise: So What Else? has extensive experience in coordinating community partnerships and can offer guidance and support.
Network: Leverage our extensive network to connect with local farms and businesses interested in making a difference.
Resources: Access resources and tools to facilitate effective food bank partnerships and enhance your community impact.
How We Help:
Connecting Partners: We facilitate connections between farms, businesses, and food banks to build effective partnerships.
Providing Support: Offering logistical and operational support to ensure successful collaborations.
Raising Awareness: Promoting the importance of community involvement in fighting hunger through various channels.
For more information on how you can get involved or to explore partnership opportunities, visitSo What Else? and join us in making a difference in the fight against hunger.
For additional ways to give back to our charity click here.
Are you a business or a farm that is looking to partner with us? You can contact us directly by emailing; info@sowhatelse.org
Conclusion
By working together, local farms, businesses, and food banks can create a stronger, more resilient community. These partnerships not only help in addressing immediate food needs but also contribute to building a more connected and supportive society. Let’s continue to support and strengthen these collaborations to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
https://sowhatelse.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/download.jpg542880Geraldine Arandidhttps://dwd.ubp.mybluehost.me/website_b4b2b825/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.pngGeraldine Arandid2024-08-21 17:31:182024-08-21 17:32:40How Local Farms and Businesses Partner with Food Banks to Fight Hunger
The holiday season is a time of giving, reflection, and community. While many of us look forward to festive gatherings, sumptuous meals, and exchanging gifts, we mustit’s crucial to remember that not everyone has the same experience. For many individuals and families, the holidays can be stressfula period of stress and hardship, especially when basic needs like food are hard to come by. This is where food pantries play a vital role, providing essential support to those in need.
Volunteering at a food pantry during the holidays can significantly impact both the volunteers and the recipients. It fosters a sense of community, teaches empathy, and helps ensure that no one goes hungry during this special time of year. At So What Else, we are committed to supporting our communities by providing essential services, and we encourage everyone to get involved.
The Importance of Food Pantries
Food pantries are essential for communities, especially during the holidays, when the demand for their services often increases. They play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families who might otherwise struggle to obtain the necessary food they need. Food pantries serve multiple purposes, providing immediate relief not only immediate relief but also long-term support to those in need. Here are some of the key ways in which food pantries are vital:
Nutritional Support
One of the primary functions of food pantries is to ensure that individuals and families have access to healthy and nutritious food. This is especially important because:
Balanced Diets: They provide a variety of food items that contribute to balanced diets, including fresh produce, protein sources, and whole grains.
Health Benefits: Access to nutritious food helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, which are often linked to poor diet.
Child Development: Proper nutrition is critical for the growth and development of children, impacting their physical health, cognitive abilities, and academic performance.
Senior Health: For elderly individuals, a nutritious diet can improve health outcomes, reduce hospital visits, and enhance the quality of life for elderly individuals.
By providing essential nutritional support, food pantries help individuals lead healthier lives and reduce the burden on healthcare systems by providing essential nutritional support.
Emergency Relief
Food pantries offer immediate assistance to those experiencing financial difficulties, acting as a crucial safety net during times of crisis. This emergency relief is significant because:
Economic Hardship: Families facing unemployment, medical emergencies, or other financial setbacks can rely on food pantries to meet their basic needs.
Natural Disasters: In the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, or fires, food pantries provide essential supplies to those affected.
Seasonal Pressures: During the holidays, financial pressures can increase during the holidays due to additional expenses like gifts and celebrations, making food pantries’ support even more critical.
Pandemics: During global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, food pantries have played a vital role in ensuring food security for many families impacted by job losses and economic instability.
The ability of food pantries to provide immediate relief helps stabilize families during challenging times and prevents further hardships.
Community Support
Food pantries create a sense of solidarity and mutual aid among community members, fostering a supportive environment. This community support is essential for several reasons:
Social Connections: Volunteering and participating in food pantry activities help build social connections and strengthen community bonds.
Empathy and Understanding: Interacting with those in need fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others, promoting a more compassionate community.
Resource Sharing: Food pantries often collaborate with other local organizations, schools, and businesses to share resources and expand their reach, enhancing the overall support network within the community.
Volunteer Opportunities: They provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, allowing people to give back to their community and make a positive impact.
By fostering a sense of community and encouraging mutual aid, food pantries contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of the communities they serve.
The Impact of Volunteering
Volunteering at a food pantry has numerous benefits, not only for the recipients of the services but also for the volunteers themselves. These benefits extend beyond the immediate act of giving, creating a profound and lasting impact on both individuals and communities.
Making a Tangible Difference
One of the most significant impacts of volunteering at a food pantry is the direct contribution to the well-being of individuals and families in need. By sorting, packing, and distributing food, volunteers help ensure that no one goes hungry, especially during the holidays. This tangible difference is visible and immediate, providing nutritious meals to those who might otherwise go without.
Direct Support: Volunteers help provide essential food supplies to families and individuals facing food insecurity.
Nutritional Assistance: Ensuring that recipients receive healthy and balanced meals.
Immediate Relief: Offering a lifeline to those experiencing financial difficulties, especially during the holiday season.
Community Stability: Helping to stabilize the lives of vulnerable individuals and families by meeting a basic need.
Building Empathy and Understanding
Volunteering at a food pantry also helps build empathy and understanding. It allows volunteers to witness firsthand the challenges that others face, fostering a deeper awareness and compassion for those in need.
Personal Connection: Interacting with recipients can help volunteers understand their stories and struggles.
Breaking Down Barriers: Volunteering bridges gaps between different socioeconomic groups, promoting inclusivity.
Empathy Development: Volunteers gain a greater sense of empathy by seeing the direct effects of food insecurity.
Awareness: Increased awareness of the issues others facefaced by others can lead to more informed and compassionate communities.
Personal Growth
The act of volunteering provides an opportunity for personal growth and development. It allows individuals to step outside their comfort zones, take on new challenges, and learn valuable skills.
Skill Development: Volunteers can develop skills in areas such as food handling, organization, and customer service.
Confidence Building: Successfully contributing to a cause can boost self-esteem and confidence.
Sense of Accomplishment: Seeing the positive impact of their efforts provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Perspective: Volunteering offers a new perspective on life, often leading to a greater appreciation for what one has.
Community Engagement
Volunteering at a food pantry strengthens community bonds and fosters a culture of support and cooperation. It brings people together for a common cause, creating a network of individuals who are dedicated to helping one another.
Social Connections: Building relationships with fellow volunteers and recipients.
Community Spirit: Encouraging a spirit of giving and mutual support within the community.
Network Building: Creating a network of individuals and organizations working together to address food insecurity.
Collective Impact: Working as a group to make a larger impact than any one person could alone.
Why the Holidays?
The holidays are a particularly crucial time for food pantries because:
Increased demand: More families seek assistance due to financial pressures and holiday-related expenses.
Seasonal giving: The spirit of the season often motivates people to give and volunteer.
Emotional impact: Ensuring that everyone can celebrate with dignity and joy.
How You Can Get Involved
Getting involved with a food pantry like So What Else is simple and rewarding:
Find a local pantry: Locate a food pantry near you through our website.
Sign up to volunteer: Register for volunteer shifts, especially during peak times like weekends and holidays.
Donate food or funds: Contribute non-perishable food items or financial donations to support our efforts.
Spread the word: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to get involved.
Volunteering Activities
Volunteering at a food pantry involves a variety of activities that are crucial to its operation. Each task you undertake plays a significant role in ensuring that the pantry runs smoothly and efficiently, ultimately helping to provide essential services to those in need. Here’s a closer look at some of the key activities you might engage in as a volunteer:
Sorting and Packing Food
Organizing Donations: One of the first tasks you’ll likely be involved in is sorting through donations. This involves checking the expiration dates, ensuring the quality of the food items, and categorizing them into different groups, such as canned goods, dry foods, and perishable items. This process is vital for maintaining the pantry’s inventory and ensuring that all food provided is safe and nutritious.
Preparing Food Packages: Once the donations are sorted, the next step is packing the food into boxes or bags for distribution once the donations are sorted. This may involve following specific guidelines to ensure that each package contains a balanced variety of food items. Packing food also means paying attention to the specific needs of different families, such as dietary restrictions or preferences, to make sure everyone receives suitable and helpful items.
Distributing Food
Handing Out Food Items: Distribution is a direct and impactful way to interact with the community. Volunteers often help set up distribution points, manage queues, and ensure an orderly and efficient process. You might be responsible for handing out food packages, and making sure that each individual or family receives the right amount and type of food.
Providing Assistance: Beyond just handing out food, volunteers also offer a listening ear and assistprovide assistance as needed. This could mean helping elderly individuals carry their packages, explaining the contents of the food parcels, or directing people to additional resources or services offered by the pantry or other local organizations.
Stocking Shelves
Maintaining Inventory: Keeping the pantry shelves stocked is an ongoing task. Volunteers ensure that all food items are properly shelved, labeled, and easily accessible. This involves rotating stock to make sure that older items are used first, organizing items logically and efficientlyin a logical and efficient manner, and continuously monitoring the inventory to identify any shortages.
Creating a Welcoming Environment: A well-stocked and organized pantry not only makes it easier for those in need to find what they are looking for but also creates a welcoming and dignified environment. Volunteers play a crucial role in maintaining this environment, making the pantry a positive space for all visitors.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Ensuring Cleanliness: Cleanliness is critical in a food pantry to ensure the safety and health of everyone who visits or works there. Volunteers help with regular cleaning tasks such as sweeping floors, wiping down surfaces, and ensuring that all areas, including storage rooms and distribution areas, are kept clean and sanitary.
Safety and Hygiene: Beyond general cleaning, maintaining hygiene standards is essential. This includes following specific protocols for food safety, such as proper handwashing, using gloves when handling food, and ensuring that all volunteers and visitors adhere to these standards. Volunteers also help with minor maintenance tasks to ensure that the facility is safe and operational.
Additional Volunteer Roles
Administrative Support: Some volunteers may assist with administrative tasks such as data entry, managing volunteer schedules, and updating inventory records. These tasks are essential for the pantry’s smooth operationsmooth operation of the pantry and help in planning and organizing future activities.
Community Outreach: Volunteers may also be involved in outreach activities, such as organizing food drives, spreading awareness about the pantry’s services, and building partnerships with local businesses and organizations to support the pantry’s efforts.
Conclusion
Volunteering at a food pantry during the holidays is a powerful way to make a difference in your community. It not only provides essential support to those in need but also enriches the lives of volunteers. At So What Else, we are committed to creating a world where everyone can has access to the resources they need to thrive. Join us this holiday season and help make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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When Oscar first arrived in the US from Nicaragua, he struggled to adjust for two main reasons: he had a hard time attaining resources such as food & clothing and he couldn’t speak English. Thankfully a neighbor told him about So What Else’s Saturday distributions and what they had to offer for people in need so he showed up.
So What Else was able to give him resources such as food, clothing, and household goods to get him off his feet. Because he found so much help there he continued coming to receive these resources. Eventually, he and his wife met our So What Else Metrics Director Ricardo Claros. As time went on, they developed a friendship with Ricardo and were able to receive help from him in other ways. When Oscar needed to search for a job, Ricardo gave him tips for doing so. Ricardo also helped him get his driver’s license.
Oscar wanted to help the organization and give back, so he became a volunteer and started to bring his sons to the distributions. Through So What Else, Oscar’s family was able to become self-sufficient and are now able to serve and give back to others in need. Oscar’s story is only one of many. Every person in every car in the pantry line has their own story. So What Else wants to continue impacting its clients positively and helping them to achieve independence and sustainability.
When Oscar first came to the US, he was told that it is everyone for themselves in America and that no one would want to help him. On the contrary, he now feels that thanks to the community that exists at So What Else- his family was able to overcome the many obstacles that came their way.
So What Else couldn’t help its clients thrive without its amazing volunteers, and are always looking for more. To sign up as a volunteer click here.
We are incredibly thankful for all our staff and volunteers to who help us do this incredible work!
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Jonathan’s passion for acting didn’t ignite until high school. Surrounded by friends deeply immersed in theatre, he was captivated by their performances. The turning point came when he watched his friends in the high school’s Fiddler on the Roof production. Despite the heavy subject matter, Jonathan saw something magical on stage. “Yeah, that looks like a lot of fun,” he thought, feeling a spark of excitement and curiosity.
That summer, Jonathan took a leap of faith and joined a production of Guys and Dolls Jr. at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, TX. The experience was transformative. He was hooked. The stage became his playground, and he felt a sense of belonging he had never experienced before.
Initially, Jonathan attended Georgia Tech University, pursuing a major in Materials Engineering. However, his heart wasn’t in it. At Georgia Tech, he joined DramaTech, the extracurricular theatre club, where he performed in The Count of Monte Cristo and played Dr. Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors. During this production of Little Shop, Jonathan had a moment of clarity: he wanted to dedicate his life to theatre. With newfound determination, he transferred to Texas Christian University to earn his BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Musical Theatre.
Jonathan’s journey through over 40 productions, primarily musicals, has been marked by dedication and growth. Among all his roles, playing Will Bloom in Big Fish stands out. The character’s complex relationship with his father and the show’s touching moments resonated deeply with Jonathan, making it his favorite role.
Now, as an acting teacher, Jonathan finds immense joy in helping kids discover their passions. He cherishes the “Ah Ha!” moments when students grasp new concepts and feel the thrill of performance. Jonathan encourages his students to embrace fun and silliness, especially when new to acting. He believes in providing a broad overview of different techniques and helping each student find the methods that work best for them. His emphasis on thorough script analysis equips his students with a vital tool for their acting toolbox.
Jonathan constantly consumes various art forms—movies, TV shows, books, and live theatre to keep his skills sharp. He draws inspiration from these mediums and uses them as examples in his classes.
Jonathan’s advice to aspiring actors is twofold: First, keep an open mind and try everything in the theatre field. Whether set design, lighting, or performing in musicals, every skill contributes to a well-rounded theatre professional. Second, celebrate the success of your friends and peers. In a field filled with rejection and disappointment, choosing joy and supporting others fosters a positive and uplifting community.
Jonathan’s journey from a curious high school student to a dedicated actor and inspiring teacher is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. Through his story, he hopes to encourage others to take big swings, embrace the fun, and lift each other in the shared joy of theatre.
For more information on the theatre program we offer at So What Else click here.
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At every Saturday Distribution, you can see the level of need increasing. With inflation rising and the general cost of living going up, people are resorting to seeking aid from a food rescue bank like us.
On Saturday, July 20, we served over 1600 clients! You can only imagine how busy that day was. We are so thankful for all the committed volunteers who come out every week to support our operations so we can provide for all of these clients. Recently, we conducted a survey and found that on average, for every client we serve on a Saturday distribution- they are using that food to feed approximately 4.2 people in their household. Talk about impact- that’s nearly 7000 people we serve from our Saturday distributions every week. Of course, every week may vary slightly depending on what we are able to acquire, but we are grateful for our partnerships with farms, wholesalers, and businesses that provide food for us to feed our communities.
Meet Leo Delgado, an employee on the So What Else Food Rescue Bank team. Leo has been working at So What Else as the volunteer coordinator for the last three and a half months. His responsibilities include finding and scheduling volunteers as well as introducing them to the organization.
Leo has been working for non-profits in the DMV for over 20 years. He appreciates the fact that So What Else has many services. In addition to food, So What Else offers youth development opportunities including camps and classes for theater and other skill sets. Leo feels that these programs “empower [the kids] to believe that anything’s possible.”
Leo, a DC native, values using his resources to help those locally.
“It just takes me back to my roots,” he said. “If I’m gonna give back somewhere, it’s giving back to [my] hometown, [my] own backyard.”
SO WHAT ELSE NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
“I think it’s important for organizations like this to move forward,” he said. “You need that continuity and commodity between the community because it truly does take a village to be a part of raising some of these kids that need the help and support.”
“A lot of these kids, especially in the sector that we’re helping out with, they need the support, they need the resources we’re a cornerstone for,” Leo said.
In honor of that spirit, I urge you to join our movement to help us continue feeding families in need. We launched our Love One Another Challenge to not only inspire a sense of service in our community, but also to help raise awareness of the need to fund food banks like us and our partners. We joined in partnership with other non-profits that are also doing tremendous work to address food insecurity- together, we can make a larger impact. This challenge is in collaboration with: Manna Food Center, Farmlink Project, The Food Project, and Mentoring Through Athletics
We are asking participants to challenge others to serve and make social media posts with the hashtag #LoveOneAnotherChallenge about their service experience.
We are inspired by the communities we serve and the diversity of cultures and languages that make up our staff, volunteers, students, and clients. In that commitment to service, we launched this challenge to engage others into action.
People can challenge others across the country and spread a movement of love, action and peace! If you choose to volunteer and/or donate with us or one of our amazing 4 non-profit partners that’s completely up to you! We just ask that you share your post with the #LoveOneAnotherChallenge so we can see it.
The predominant result of this challenge is multiplying acts of service and kindness and engaging regular people in the work of not for profits and other mission-driven businesses. Get involved, come together, lead with love, and join the human family.
For more information you can visit the website for the challenge here.
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Beth is a retired corporate and M&A lawyer, parent to two fabulous kids (now young adults), and wife to an amazing complex commercial litigator and professional high stakes poker player. Beth is passionate about giving back to the community, fighting food scarcity, working with at-risk youth, and helping victims of domestic violence find safety and resources to build new and better lives.
Leroy Pingho
Founder & CEO, Great Elm Solutions
Bio coming soon.
Amy Embrey
CEO Embrey Properties of Keller Williams Capital Properties
Bio coming soon.
Barbara Guterman
Entrepreneur & Public Speaker
Bio coming soon.
Bob Gordon
Retired, Medical and Emergency Medical FDA and NFPA
Bio coming soon.
Emily Caplan Stephenson
Licensed Public Interest/Civil Rights Attorney
Emily Caplan Stephenson is a licensed public interest/civil rights attorney and mother of three kids all of whom have volunteered with So What Else. This organization means so much to Emily!
Susan Loring
Retired, Quality Assurance Specialist, Biotechnology Division, United States Patent & Trademark Office
Susan Loring is a retired Quality Assurance Specialist of the Biotechnology Division at the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Susan has served 6 years on another local nonprofit’s board and has been an active fundraiser for the past 30 years for ALS mid-Atlantic region. She has been involved with So What Else since its inception and currently lives in Frederick, MD.
Nicolle Davis-Niang
Vice President with CIH Properties
Nicolle comes from an extensive background in the field of Property Management with over 30 years of experience and expertise. She currently serves in the position of Vice President with CIH Properties of which she has been an integral part of their management team for over 25 years. With this experience Nicolle has emerged as a convergent thinker and an intrinsic motivator to her supporting staff.
Ms. Davis holds a degree in Business Management from Bowie State University and completed certificate program with George Mason University. Nicolle is an active member of IREM with several designations including Certified Property Management and Accredited Residential Manager. Additionally, she is a Housing Credit Certified Professional with the National Association of Home Builders and a licensed Real Estate professional. Ms. Davis is also an entrepreneur with various business ventures in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Brett Bernstein
CEO & Co-Founder, XML Financial Group
Brett Bernstein is the CEO and Co-founder of XML Financial Group. He manages the operations of the firm, including the firm’s M&A strategy. Brett is an active financial advisor assisting clients with his holistic approach to goal-setting and problem-solving. Prior to co-founding XML, he was a Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he was designated Producing Sales Manager for a complex that managed over $5 billion in assets. XML has been a Focus Financial partner firm since 2016.
Brett is a serial entrepreneur actively investing in many start-up companies and has led his firm in acquiring three wealth management firms. This entrepreneurial spirit has led Brett to be active at the Bullis School as an Entrepreneur in Resident as well as volunteering at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business as an Advisor and Subject Matter Expert.
Brett received a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and continued his education at Georgetown University and Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program. He earned his CFP® certification in 2003.
Brett also serves as a Board Trustee for the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland. Brett volunteers his time to the Bullis School’s entrepreneurial program, sponsoring the Capstone Entrepreneurial Shark Tank competition, and was recently named to Bullis’ Entrepreneurs in Residence.
Dr. Williams joined the Project Change Board of Directors in 2016. She is a veteran educator and Principal at Stone Mill Elementary School who is passionate about helping children become successful and confident adults. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Master’s degree in elementary education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Through Project Change Kim is able to tap into her passions and further her goals for developing local youth into leaders.
Expertise: Communications/Public Relations, Public Advocacy; Strategic Planning, Program Planning/Evaluation, Human Resources Development
Lillian Teng
Senior Manager of the Verizon Media Advanced Cyber Threats Team
Lillian Teng is currently the Senior Manager of the Verizon Media Advanced Cyber Threats Team. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service (Go Hoyas!), she joined the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) as a Cyber Special Agent in 2003, where she began tracking government backed cyber actors and served in both the Middle East and Asia.
After leaving NCIS in 2011, she joined Booz Allen Hamilton and worked at the National Cyber Joint Investigative Task Force as well as the FBI’s Cyber Division Asia Cyber Operations Section. After over 10 years in US government service, Lillian decided to try her hand at private sector life and joined Yahoo!, which became Verizon Media in 2019.
Lillian is passionate about helping her community and is particularly involved in issues such as food insecurity, digital safety, and amplifying women and under-represented groups in STEM.
Joel Schwarz
Esq., CIPP/G Managing Partner
Joel Schwarz is a former cyber prosecutor for the Justice Dept & New York State Attorney General, as well as a former Intelligence Community Privacy Officer (CLPO), and Counsel on E-Commerce and Privacy for MetLife. Mr. Schwarz is a certified information privacy professional (CIPP), certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and a frequent speaker, publisher and thought leader on privacy, cybersecurity and emerging tech issues.
He is currently a Managing Partner with The Schwarz Group, LLC, and an Adjunct Professor at Albany Law School, where he develops and teaches Masters-level courses on cybercrime, cybersecurity and privacy. Schwarz is a highly skilled and experienced consultant and attorney specializing in privacy, cybersecurity, cyber intelligence, and compliance oversight.
Previously, Mr. Schwarz served as the Senior Director, Global Internet Enforcement & Data Analytics for BSA |The Software Alliance (BSA), managing a multi-million $ budget and supervising local and international staff, contractors, vendors, and outside counsel in development and implementation of a holistic strategy for BSA’s Internet Enforcement Department. He was also a member of BSA’s GDPR Implementation Working Group and helped oversee BSA’s data mapping, and design of operational privacy requirements for his Department.
Prior to BSA, Mr. Schwarz was the Civil Liberties & Privacy Officer (CLPO) for the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), an office that he stood up and led as NCTC’s first CLPO. In that role, he spearheaded the development, implementation, and oversight of a holistic, agency-wide privacy and civil liberties compliance program to identify, assess, and manage compliance risks across the organization. Mr. Schwarz also worked with Senate and House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees to keep them apprised of NCTC’s ongoing handling of information, while concurrently protecting privacy and civil liberties, and held regular briefing sessions with the President’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). Finally, Mr. Schwarz advised the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC) on establishing a privacy office.
Before NCTC, Mr. Schwarz was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) where he prosecuted cybercrime cases and represented U.S. law enforcement and intelligence organizations in the negotiation, drafting, and signing of the APEC Privacy Framework. He also drafted and implemented technology laws, policies, and information sharing mechanisms, both domestically and abroad, and provided policy advice and guidance on cybercrime/cybersecurity legislation throughout Asia and Africa.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Schwarz served as Special Counsel for Internet Matters for the Securities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office and as Assistant Attorney General for the Internet Bureau. He was also E-commerce and Privacy Counsel for MetLife, where he advised various lines of business on privacy and security, and was responsible for helping to implement MetLife’s e-commerce strategy, including the purchase and roll-out of an online bank.
Mr. Schwarz received his law degree from Albany Law School, cum laude, and his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton, cum laude. He subsequently completed a certification in Advanced Information Technologies from New York University.
Dr. LaGrange is a Licensed Psychologist, applied research scientist, and public health specialist. He received his B.A. in History from the University of Virginia, master’s degree in public health from George Washington University, and master’s and doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology from Howard University. Dr. LaGrange is co-founder of BASICS Group Practice, a private mental health practice in the Washington, D.C. area that provides comprehensive psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults, along with a host of other community-based health and wellness programs that drive social progress. He is currently the Vice President, US Health for ideas42, a non-profit consulting agency that uses insights from behavioral science to improve lives, build better systems and policies, and drive social change.
Previously in his career, Dr. LaGrange was a faculty member at Children’s National Health System and George Washington University where he designed and executed research studies and health communication campaigns targeted at high-risk youth for HIV/STD prevention in partnership with pharmaceutical and health IT companies and government agencies. As a National Institute of Health-funded Principal Investigator, his research pursuits involved behavioral issues relevant to treating individuals with chronic diseases. Dr. LaGrange brings over 25 years’ experience advancing public health, educational and youth development initiatives.
Anthony DeCicco is one of the original founding members of Project Change (founded in 1998) and is enthusiastic to join forces with SWE to once again work with today’s youth to promote positive change and youth leadership opportunities within our community. With a Bachelors’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Anthony has over 20 years of architectural design and construction management knowledge and is a Project Manager with Natelli/Main Street Homes based in Gaithersburg, MD.
Expertise: Communications / Public Relations; Community Outreach,
Fundraising, Information Technology, Special Events
Karla Daly
My favorite volunteer quote is “Volunteer, make a difference and be the change in the life of one child, one family and one community”
My favorite quote is “You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take” Wayne Gretsky.
I am a Paraeducator at Twinbrook Elementary School. I have years of volunteer and fundraising experience. It’s my passion. God made me a helper.
Priya is a teacher and parent to two so what else graduates. She is driven towards humanitarian work and is helping so what else in our community outreach and literacy and outcomes department. She also is passionate about solving the summer learning loss for disadvantaged youth
Brad Sherman is the founder and president of Sherman Wealth Management in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Brad provides clients with customized financial strategies, designed to help each client pursue their own unique long-term financial goals. He helps clients navigate the often-overwhelming selection of wealth solutions and financial tools, in order to create a customized plan, and make suitable recommendations for each client’s specific goals and timeline.
Devoted to making an impact on the community, Brad is a frequent contributor to many leading financial publications, a proud member of the Rockville and Gaithersburg Chambers of Commerce, and devotes his time to a variety of local community organizations, like So What Else, to make a difference in the community around us.
Brad lets his curiosity about people lead his interactions. He simply likes to relate to people, whether talking about the latest pop culture trends, fantasy baseball and football, or family adventures of raising his two young children. But mostly, he wants to put his clients at ease, understanding what their specific needs and concerns are and perhaps imparting a handful of financial lessons he has learned along the way.
Josh Ross, the #8 agent with RE/MAX in MD for 2016, is an award winning Real Estate agent with RE/MAX Realty Services, having over 12 years experience serving buyers & sellers throughout the Greater Washington DC Metro area (DC, MD & VA). Josh is a native Washingtonian. His innate drive and motivation matched with his youthful vitality allow him to continually grow and mature in the field of Real Estate – helping more families each year find the right home.
Through explicit relationships with a variety of home builders & developers he is able to obtain intricate knowledge of up and coming areas as well as trends (Always be sure to ask about what he has “coming soon”). Whether you are looking to buy or sell your first home, move up, relocate, or invest he will help ensure that you accomplish your goals, taking all that is important to you into account.
Josh is also very active in the community serving as a board member for local grassroots humanitarian organization So What Else, and actively supports other local organizations Nourish Now and Comfort Cases.
Wes Okerson
Wesley Okerson is a highly accomplished health Professional from Maryland. Where he earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland in 2001 and relocated to Los Angeles.
Wesley lives an active lifestyle in addition to working full time as a health pro he competes in endurance competitions. A former collegiate pitcher with a passion for coaching.
Greg Minkoff is the principal owner of Minkoff Company, a general contractor specializing in restoration of fire and water damaged commercial properties. In his role at Minkoff, Greg is responsible for day-to-day management of 3 offices and a staff of over 70 dedicated employees.
Greg has been with the company for twenty years and has been actively involved in several industry trade associations. Notably, he is a past President of the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.
Outside of his duties at Minkoff Company, Greg has invested in and redeveloped upscale residential properties in the Washington, D.C. area.
Scott helped form EDGE Commercial Real Estate in 2007 as one of the Principals of this newly formed company with a primary focus on the Tenant Advisory Practice for companies headquartered in the Washington D.C. region. Prior to EDGE Scott helped open the Northern Virginia office for Scheer Partners, was there for almost 5 years, and was one of the company’s top producers. Before Scheer, Scott was with USI Real Estate Advisors, now Johnson Controls, for 4 years and was integrally involved there in developing their Tenant Services Practice Group. At the start of his real estate career Scott joined Insignia/ESG now CBRE and was there for almost 6 years.
In addition to providing strategic guidance, his expertise includes site selection, financial analysis, market knowledge, and contract negotiation. Scott has been involved in helping his clients across the country including such cities as Boston, Indianapolis, Detroit, Dallas, Philadelphia, Charleston, Orlando, Chicago, El Segundo, Houston, and New York.
Scott has been successful establishing and maintaining effective and long-term relationships with clients. His commitment and willingness to provide quality customer service, in this service industry, is one of the true strengths Scott brings to EDGE Commercial Real Estate and his clients.
Michael Meers
Michael Meers is a native of Montgomery County and has spent the past 25 years in the multifamily industry by financing, managing, developing and owning apartments across the Washington, DC area with a special focus on workforce and affordable housing. Michael believes that quality affordable housing is a foundational issue and is necessary to create stable communities.
Michael’s involvement with So What Else is longstanding as he has partnered with the organization over the past five years with different after school programs for youth and also with food programs for the food insecure during the pandemic and related economic crisis.
Michael serves on numerous nonprofit boards that are focused on housing issues and ways to bring economic and educational opportunity to all. Michael is a graduate of Washington and Lee University (BA) and the University of Maryland (MBA) and lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with three daughters.
Amy Katz is the Founder and CEO of Curbside Kitchen, a PropTech company that creates custom food truck solutions for commercial and residential properties. As one of the few female founders in the Proptech sector, Amy oversees all aspects of the company’s operational, sales, and marketing of the business.
In 2018, Amy identified the increasing tenant demand for food amenities within the commercial and residential property markets. Property Owners and Property Managers were struggling to find a way to provide reliable and safe food trucks to their urban and suburban properties. She brought her expertise in sales and digital marketing to the commercial real estate sector and launched Curbside Kitchen.
Curbside Kitchen believes that eating is a shared experience and that every person should be able to enjoy delicious, diverse, and accessible cuisine outside their workplace doors. With her team, Amy developed an easy-to-use technology platform that connects building owners, leasing agents, and property managers with food trucks. Curbside Kitchen has further expanded its technology platform by rolling out its new mobile app and ordering platform which has proven to be prescient given COVID-19’s effect on the food delivery business. Curbside Kitchen also provides wrap-around services to support the tenant experience, such as marketing, flyers, promotional emails, weekly reminders, and menus to tenants. Curbside Kitchen has expanded to work with universities, corporations, and cultural events that want to curate culinary experiences for their communities.
Since its founding in 2018, a core tenet of its mission is community outreach and charitable initiatives. Amy and her team founded Curbside Cares, the company that partners with organizations to support corporate social responsibility efforts and work with national and local non-profits including, So What Else, March of Dimes, and Crystal City.
The company is headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and works with partners and food truck owners in the Washington, D.C metro area, Philadelphia, and Raleigh, N.C.
Amy’s previous experience includes positions in sales, marketing, and advertising at leading companies including WashingtonPost.com, Paper, and Varsitybooks.com.
Katz graduated from the University of Maryland, with a degree in Marketing.
Amy Holmwood is a health and wellness entrepreneur and advocate of holistic health solutions. She is also the Founder of Origen Vodka, a gluten free, non-GMO superfood vodka.
Origen Vodka was founded in response to the growing global movement towards a more health-conscious approach to all aspects of life, including a desire for more sustainable manufacturing practices. It was developed with botanical ingredients that minimize the negative effects of alcohol on the liver and reduce oxidative stress, resulting in an experience of improved overall wellness while minimizing impact to the environment.
Amy is engaged in the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) market, an emerging area in the health and wellness community and one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Using her personal experience of overcoming childhood asthma and Lyme disease, Amy embraces genomic sciences that focus on natural alternatives and healthy eating. She encourages the use of Nutrigenomics and Biohacking in exploring individual solutions and sees this as the future of disease prevention and in the treatment of aging.
With a knowledge base built upon three decades of experience in the insurance and financial industries, Amy is still active as a consultant and advisor in the Life Insurance industry with AgencyONE. Previously, her focus was on providing HNW individuals with advice on estate and liquidity planning, international insurance and asset protection planning. Amy was previously a board member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) and President and board member of Forum 400, an advisor-driven life insurance industry think tank.
Amy earned a BBA in International Business from the George Washington University. She also completed the Strategic Negotiation and Dealmaking Executive Program at Harvard Business School and holds the Nutrition Science Certification from the Stanford Center for Health Education.
Meredith Heller
Meredith Heller is a digital media professional with over 21 years of experience. She has opened DC offices for multiple digital advertising companies such as Quantcast and now GumGum.
Before moving into the DC market, she spent 3 years at Philly.com as VP of Digital at Philly.com. Prior to Philly.com Meredith spent over 10 years at AmericanGreetings.com, starting in Chicago, and building out their first ever digital sales team. Chicago was where she started in digital with Disney, and it is where she received her MBA in Marketing from Loyola in 2001.
Meredith is currently a board member for AAFDC serving as Secretary and also co-chair for ADWKDC. Additionally she served for 3 years as a board member for Nourish Now, a non-profit that strives to alleviate food insecurity in Montgomery County, MD, by reducing the waste of unused fresh food. We are so pleased to have Meredith as a Board Member for So What Else.
Jane Dunigan
Chief Information Officer, Avendra
Jane Dunigan is the S.V.P. and Chief Information Officer of Avendra Group, an Aramark company.
Avendra Group delivers world-class procurement and supply chain management services in higher education, business dining, sports and entertainment, hospitality, and other related industries. Avendra Group leverages $14B in purchasing power to secure significant savings on a variety of products and services. Launched in 2001, by 2017, Avendra was managing $5B in spending and serving 650 companies across 8,500 locations, including more than half of the top 30 hotel chains. In 2017, Aramark acquired Avendra for $1.35B and created Avendra Group.
Jane came to Avendra from Applied Information Sciences, a technology consulting firm focused on building Microsoft-based business applications for Fortune 500 companies. Jane managed all aspects of a 40-person consulting organization and was responsible for large application development efforts across multiple clients. Before joining Applied Information Sciences, Jane spent 5 years at Verizon in various technology management-related roles including Application Development and IT Program and Release Management. Prior to Verizon, Jane worked at Marriott International and Accenture in various technical roles of increasing responsibilities.
Jane is a native of Washington, DC, and graduated from Elon College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Jane and her husband, Robert, reside in Kensington, MD, and Gibson Island, MD, and have three sons. Jane enjoys long walks, yoga, golf, and sailing with her husband.
Michelle Cooper
Partner & Director, XML-Women, Wealth & Wellness
Michelle P. Cooper is the Director and Co-founder of XML-W, a division of XML Financial Group which focuses on the planning and financial needs of women at all stages of their lives. She brings to XML-W over 25 years of experience in the estate planning, finance and tax fields. Prior to joining the XML team, she worked for Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust (both entities are now owned by Bank of America) as a Director and Senior Trust Specialist helping high-net-worth clients design and update their estate plans. She also had the responsibility of educating over 650 financial advisors on estate planning and trust services. Before starting her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996, she worked as an attorney specializing in tax and estate planning for the law firms of Ralph R. Polachek & Associates and Joseph, Gajarsa, McDermott & Reiner, P.C.
Education & Philanthropy
Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Miami of Ohio University. She then attained her Juris Doctor and Masters of Business degrees from Capital University, with honors. She is admitted to the bars of the State of Maryland and Washington, D.C. Michelle is a member of the Ambassador’s Council for N Street Village, a supporter of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Joy of Motion Dance Center. She is married to Paul Cooper and they have five wonderful children together. She enjoys yoga, traveling, a good bottle of wine and helping women thrive!
Investment advisory services offered through XML Financial Group. Securities offered through Lara, May & Associates, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Bob Schless
Principal, The Robert Joseph Group
Bob Schless is a CPA with many years of experience in both public and private accounting. He received his undergraduate degree from Hofstra University and his postgraduate degree from Long Island University’s School of Professional Accountancy.
Bob started with Reznick, Fedder & Silverman (now the Reznick Group), a large regional public accounting firm in suburban Maryland. Bob primarily worked on the audit side, mainly with Real Estate and Construction clients. After public accounting, he worked for Host Marriott Corporation’s Asset Management Group where he focused on financial reporting for various syndicated hotel properties and partnerships. From there, he worked for MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, a large Hotel REIT and Management Company. There he specialized in SEC reporting and worked on various corporate accounting projects.
After several years of working for a multi-billion dollar national firms, Bob co-founded Continuum Financial. Currently with The Robert Joseph Group, Bob works with Fortune 500 companies, not for profit organizations, and large government contractors providing professional accounting and financial resources within these industries. He currently lives in Maryland with his daughters Amanda and Sydney.
Matthew Ammerman
MD, Sibley Memorial Hospital, GWU Hospital
Dr. Matthew D. Ammerman is an assistant clinical professor of neurosurgery at George Washington University School of Medicine. He is board certified in neurosurgery and practices out of Washington Neurosurgical Associates at Sibley Memorial Hospital and George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Ammerman’s expertise is in minimally invasive techniques for spinal disease.
Dr. Ammerman earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. He continued his education at George Washington, completing a residency in neurological surgery. Dr. Ammerman then went on to complete a fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
Dr. Ammerman supervises the monthly journal club for the neurosurgical residents at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He has also published research in medical journals and contributed textbook chapters.
