07/23/2022
Nothing like receiving an email direct in your inbox accusing you of being a liar.
FACT. After a long running spot in the community newspaper and e-blast, our information on how to donate or receive food disappeared. Those communications are controlled by our Association.
FACT. The Community Cupboard was mysteriously being filled with unsorted donations despite us making several announcements that we had more than we could handle and in November 2021 a now deleted was discovered on the Association recreation page stating that you could donate through the rec center or contact them for assistance.
FACT. We contacted the rec center employee requesting a meeting, asking for a removal of the post as it caused confusion within the community, and stating that this explained why we were getting no calls and where all of the new donations were coming from.
FACT. We received a lengthy reply explaining to us how this pantry was on Association property and therefore the Association needed to have say in how it was run and there needed to be processes in place and it was suggested that we be on a committee to assist.
FACT. For four years there were processes in place and had the new employee asked, they would have known this.
FACT. Even if no one knew who was running the Community Cupboard, there was a 24” x 36” poster on the front door with a phone number to call for assistance. No one ever reached out or called.
FACT. We were further accused of “making people feel uncomfortable” after ONE miscommunication incident in FOUR YEARS. We always served with open arms and in fact stepped away while people got what they needed and we always encouraged them to take more. We had many repeat visitors.
FACT. After the treatment by staff of our heartfelt project, the decision was made that it was not in our best interest to step back in and try to fix it. The staff had already changed processes, disposed of resources that were still shelf stable and was using cupboard property for other purposes.
FACT. We were then contacted by a staff member who was overseeing the rec operations asking on behalf of the Board of Directors if a staff member had taken over the Community Cupboard without authorization (whether that meant from the board or the Community Cupboard organizers we are unsure) and we relayed what had happened.
FACT. We were asked to take it back over and responded that we would reconsider in the new year but that the staff treatment and lack of support from the Board was not encouraging and not conditions we wanted to operate under.
FACT. We were then asked to meet with the new GM, Dan Pike, to discuss the Community Cupboard and how to move forward. That meeting happened and it seemed to show promise, including a promise that once the new Rec and Maintenance Directors were hired, the Board would be backing out of involvement in day-to-day operations and things could get back on track.
FACT. Dan Pike never communicated with us again.
FACT. Long after Dan’s proposed date of when we would see change, no change had occurred. We made the painful decision to clear out the Cupboard and donate all of the resources we had gathered to local food banks and other community services so they could be disbursed where needed.
FACT. Sommer Cronck, the Realtor noted in the email, sat on the empty floor of that Cupboard with her head in her hands and not a shred of dignity and cried her heart out because for four years we served as a resource for people in need in this community and not until the previous six months had we experienced the pushback, hostility and blatant disregard for our efforts.
FACT. She email Dan Pike for the last time to let him know that we had emptied the Cupboard and it could be returned to Association use.
FACT. Dan Pike never replied. Not an “OK”, not a “thanks for letting us know” and CERTAINLY not any words of admiration for all we did for the community.
So did the volunteers of the Community Cupboard choose to close it down? Technically, yes. Our hands were tied.
FACT. If the GM knew anything about the Community Cupboard he would have not pinned it being shut down on just one person. It was run by a group. It was a group decision to close it.
