Who We Are
We’re a small and mighty team who gives all that we can to the Pantry and our clients.
We are an independent community food pantry governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from local businesses and residents who care about our mission. We provide food and other necessary items directly to the people who need assistance in Lake County, Florida. We could not do what we do without the support of a generous community and guidance of the Second Harvest Food Bank, who primarily acts as the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products distributed to Central Florida food pantries.
In 2022 we served 67,329 individuals, with approximately 65% being senior and disabled clients. We also distributed approximately 25,000 pounds of food each week.
We have full-time and part-time staff members plus 262 trained, active volunteers.
Did You Know?
On average it takes 60 to 70 pounds of food to serve one family of four for three days (3 meals per day)!
Give Us a Wave If You See Us Driving Around Lake County!
Meet Our Staff

Kelsey Gonzalez
Executive Director
director.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Kelsey...
Kelsey began as Executive Director in January 2022 and works hard at keeping the organization moving forward. Kelsey reports to the Board of Directors who make policy on behalf of the best interest of the Lake Cares.

Ruthie Haffner
Director of Development
ruthie.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Ruthie...
Ruthie works directly with donors with designated and legacy giving and builds engagement and awareness through community outreach. Ruthie works with the Executive Director in securing important funding through writing grants and seeking opportunities for support.

Carly Sayles
Pantry Manager
carly.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Carly...
Carly oversees daily pantry operation, places all food orders and is in charge of inventory control distribution.

Myra O'Maley
Asst. Pantry Coordinator
Learn more about Myra...
Coming soon!

Florence Codding
Office Manager
florence.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Florence...
Office managers handle all emergency food requests, data entry, and phone inquiries.

Joan Atkinson
Office Manager
joan.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Joan...
Office managers handle all emergency food requests, data entry, and phone inquiries.

Tim Engle
Logistics Manager
timothy.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Tim...
Tim is in charge of co-coordinating the pick-up of product from retail stores and food drives.

Kevin Stanaland
Building Manager
kevin.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Kevin...
Kevin maintains the facilities, keeping everything in working order for the organization.

Patty Pabon
Volunteer Coordinator
patty.lakecares@gmail.com
Learn more about Patty...
More information coming soon!
David Birchell
Pantry Assistant
david.lakecares@gmail.com

Lillian Pagan
Pantry Support
lillian.lakecares@gmail.com
Linda McKernan
Office Support
linda.lakecares@gmail.com
Meet Our Board

John Pease IV
President
First National Bank of Mount Dora
Learn more about John...
John Pease IV – Born and raised in Lake County, John heads up the Trust Department at The First National Bank of Mount Dora. He is also the current Chair of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and Trustee of a number of local foundations and charities like the Mount Dora Community Trust and the W.T. Bland Jr. Charitable Trust. Lake Cares has such a huge impact in our community, John was thrilled when asked to be a part of the team.

Heather McPherson
Vice President
Food Columnist
Learn more about Heather...
Heather McPherson is a former food editor, restaurant reviewer and multimedia journalist for the Orlando Sentinel. She handles press and media for the Millennium Management Group. Millennium owns and operates restaurants and entertainment complexes across the United States. The author of three cookbooks, she has co-written five others and edited three cookbooks.

Sharon Smith
Secretary
Learn more about Sharon...
Sharon Smith is a Sales, Marketing & Business Development Executive with extensive experience working for Fortune 50 companies. She is currently a Consultant for the Small Business Development Counsel at UCF (SBDC) and resides in Mount Dora with her husband, Greg.

Michelle Villani
Treasurer
G3 Development
Learn more about Michelle...
Michelle Villani is Executive Assistant for G3 Development. “I am a Lake Cares Board Member because I want to use my time and skills to support the cause I care about.”

Chuck Babbino
Board Member
Real Life Church of Mount Dora
Learn more about Chuck...
Chuck Babbino is the Campus Pastor at Real Life Christian Church in Mount Dora. Chuck is involved with Lake Cares because meeting physical needs and combatting hunger is part of what living out the ways of Jesus looks like.

Peter Marini
Board Member
Triangle Bingo
Learn more about Peter...
Peter Marini Owner/operator of Triangle Bingo for over 25 years. He raises funds for more than 25 local charities monthly.

Cathy Hoechst
Board Member
Community Leader
Learn more about Cathy...
Cathy Hoechst has lived, worked and volunteered in Mount Dora for 35 years. Previously she was an executive for Orlando Health and then President of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce. She has served on Mount Dora city council as council woman, vice mayor and mayor.

Pastor Bobby Rowe
Board Member
Saving Faith Baptist Church
Learn more about Pastor Bobby...
Bobby Rowe pastors the Saving Faith Baptist Church in Mount Dora and the Executive Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Willie Hawkins
Board Member
Commissioner, City of Eustis
Learn more about Willie...
Willie Hawkins is a longtime resident of Eustis, Florida and currently serves as a City of Eustis Commissioner. Willie has spent the majority of his life dedicated to public service. He has recently retired as a Supervisory Special Agent who served over twenty-six years with the Department of Justice. Willie is a US military veteran having served in the US Air Force. He is actively involved in the Eustis community where he volunteers and supports youth education, sports, and music. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Saint Leo’s University.

Kristy Marden
Board Member

Ben Stoffernan
Board Member

Harmon Massey
Board Member

Lesley Campione, P.A.
Board Member
Lake County Commissioner

Kyle Blackston
Board Member
Blackston COO, Financial Group

David Nye
Board Member
President SkyMark Roofing, Solar & Pests
Meet The Lake Cares Ambassadors

Sharon Smith
Board Member & Ambassador’s Chair

Christine Williams-Stewart
Mount Dora & Tavares

Leslie Rotarious
Sorrento Area

Kim Varnadore
Eustis Area