PERSONAL
Nuestro personal está comprometido a garantizar que, al final del día, aquellos que necesitan ayuda en nuestra comunidad puedan recibirla.
No dude en comunicarse con cualquiera de los miembros de nuestro personal, ¡estaremos encantados de ayudar!
ADMINistration
anita wilson
director de operaciones
About Anita She/Her
Started at HHC: January 2018
Bio: I am a native of Avery County but have lived in several different areas of the country. I now live on property that has been in my family for more than 200 years. As the Director of Operations at the Hunger and Health Coalition, I am responsible to see that HHC runs well, and that staff have the things they need to succeed – from toilet paper to mental health support!
Background: I have had a broad range of work experience in my life; selling children’s clothing, teaching classes, fudge and candy maker, business office management serving the elderly, raising children, customer service and now operations management.
Hobbies: I love to grow flowers, read, learn, and cook for people.
Favorite part of role: In my role as Director of Operations all my responsibilities culminate in serving the clients, helping to ensure that they are happy, their burdens are eased a little, and that they know how much HHC employees care for them. It’s a wonderful way to spend my work life!
About Melissa She/Her
anita wilson
director de operaciones
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: I'm originally from West Virginia and moved to the High County in 2001. Outside of working at HHC, I've been in local government for 4 years.
Background: I had 10 years in restaurant experience and owned a motel for 20 years.
Favorite fruit: Blackberry
Hobbies: Reading and crafting
Favorite part of role: I enjoy creating the budget and watching the numbers each month to see where we need to adjust to make sure that we stay on track.
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About Jamie He/Him
jenn bajo
Director de Comunicaciones
About Maura She/Her
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: I have worked in food and nutrition access for Watauga County since I was a Dietetic Intern working at Appalachia District WIC and Watauga Medical Center during my time in grad school. Concentrating in perinatal health and food insecurity, I found herself at HHC not long after graduating. I started at HHC as a grant writer while providing nutrition counseling and setting up our FIM program and now work with the management team to oversee HHC's strategic plan, grants, and developing projects.
Background: Bachelor of Science Nutrition and Foods - Dietetics; Master of Science Nutrition; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Favorite fruit: Pomegrante
Hobbies: Baking, crafts, reading, walking
Favorite part of role: I love thinking outside of the box to form creative solutions for turning our community's hunger into health.
TBD
Director of Development
Administrative
Support
Community
Engagement
About Kayla She/Her
Started at HHC: August 2021
Bio: Originally from a small town in central Kentucky, I moved to Boone in 2017. I worked for the local newspaper for four years where I completed my time there as editor. I was originally hired at HHC to oversee the volunteer, internship, and ongoing food drive programs. I now oversee our communication and outreach efforts.
Background: Bachelors in Journalism, minor in Public Relations from Eastern Kentucky University
Favorite fruit: Strawberries and pineapple
Hobbies: Reading, board games, enjoying the outdoors
Favorite part of role: I enjoy using my storytelling skills in order to spread information about our services, staff and our clients. With outreach, I enjoy being out in the community and networking!
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Alyssa She/Her
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Nick He/Him
Started at HHC: July 2024
Bio: I am Florida-born and Southern-raised. I have a deep passion for technology and a strong commitment to helping my fellow team members succeed, I strive to provide them with the tools and support they need.
Background: BSBA Computer Information Systems with a Cybersecurity Concentration
Favorite fruit: Star fruit (Carambola)
Hobbies: I make art, immerse myself in literature, appreciate obscure Japanese jazz, and build models.
Favorite part of role: As an IT Administrator at a nonprofit, I take great pride in supporting individuals who make a meaningful impact in our community by ensuring that our technology operates smoothly and efficiently. My role allows me to empower others to focus on their vital work, knowing they have reliable technology at their fingertips.
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Mela She/Her
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
Started at HHC: October 2024
Bio: I'm a data analyst from Wilkes County I enjoy uncovering insights in complex datasets. Outside of work, I value my time with my son and love to read, whether it's novels or informative articles that inspire me.
Background: I've been working in the non-profit sector for nearly seven years, focusing on substance use and mental health recovery, harm reduction, and assisting people experiencing homelessness.
Favorite fruit: Pineapple all the way!
Fun fact: My favorite animal is a toss-up between a tardigrade or a possum
Favorite part of role: I love the research, doing deep dives into foundations, and organizations to see who they are and what they are passionate about. Analyzing and cleaning data is a passion of mine, I enjoy telling stories about people’s experiences and backing it up with facts.
food Access
About Laura She/Her
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
Started at HHC: March 2022
Bio: I’m originally from Kansas City but call Watauga County home. I was raised by a dietitian and love being a chef. I am on a vegetable propaganda campaign.
Background: I studied sustainable development with a concentration in community, regional, global development and a specialization in food sovereignty. I want to use the local food system to build close knit relationships.
Favorite vegetable: I love all brassicas.
Hobbies: Dance, comedy, reading, cooking
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of my role is my relationships with my volunteers and the chaos.
About Matt He/Him
Started at HHC: December 2023
Bio: I was born just south of Atlanta but grew up here in Boone. After living in Durham for over 20 years I recently moved back to Boone. I attended Appalachian State for my Bachelor’s in Sociology and East Carolina for a Masters in Technical and Professional Communications. I am the Fresh Market Coordinator and manage the flow of bread, desserts and produce.
Background: I have worked for the National STD/AIDS hotlines and on public health research studies where I interviewed populations including Gulf Oil Spill workers and survivors of physical trauma.
Favorite fruit: Apples and avocados!
Fun fact: I enjoy writing weird fiction and have self-published a novella on Amazon.
Favorite part of your role: Putting together boxes of produce for clients and interactions with clients and coworkers!
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Michael He/Him
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Priscilla She/Her
Candace Kelling - Salzler
Coordinador del programa de entrega móvil
About Ian He/Him
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
Maura McClain
Gerente de Becas y Programas
About Avery He/Him
Started at HHC: October 2024
Bio: I grew up in a small town called Roanoke Rapids, NC, and moved to Boone, NC when I
graduated high school. As a food recovery driver, I drive out into the community to collect
donations from partnered businesses.
Background: Associates Degree in Arts
Favorite fruit: Oranges
Hobbies: Hiking, playing guitar, puzzles
Favorite part of your role: I enjoy getting to interact with so many people in our community. I have met a lot of great folks who are really passionate about helping others.
Health Access
About Jonathan He/Him
Started at HHC: June 2023
Bio: I’m from a small farm town in Duplin County, on the southeastern side of NC. I entered the workforce out of high school and held various labor positions before eventually pursuing nutrition and dietetics at ECU for undergraduate and ASU for graduate school. I’m currently filling the Food is Medicine Coordinator position, and much of my job entails ensuring that we have adequate inventory of food to meet client needs, as well as assessing clients for eligibility in our malnutrition program.
Background: MS, RDN, LDN
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Hobbies: Video games, bonfires, hiking, and cooking
Favorite part of role: I get to talk with clients, learning about their life, to help them target what they feel are achievable actions toward their goals. I have clients that just make my day better, even when they’re struggling; they’ll come and give me a hug or word of encouragement, and some days that just makes it all worthwhile.
Jonathan Farrior, MS, RDN, LDN
Food is Medicine Coordinator
About Kyndall She/Her
Started at HHC: May 2023
Bio: I am from Nashville originally, but moved here in 2020 from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I graduated with my bachelors in Latin/Classical Civilization from University of Tennessee and then received my doctorate of pharmacy from Mercer University in Atlanta. I am the pharmacist for Hunger and Health Coalition, I spend most of my day finding creative solutions to obtain medications for our patients. That means appealing to drug companies to obtain certain medications for free, or calling providers' offices to request changes to medications to something that is financially responsible but equally efficacious.
Background: I have had a long history of nonprofit pharmacy work in poison control, both for the New Mexico and Florida Poison Control Centers, with some intermittent community pharmacy work. I was also an adjunct professor for the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, where I taught Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Favorite medication: Diclomine 10mg capsules — they're the prettiest blue.
Fun fact: My husband and I own a farm with a variety of animals and a historic Victorian house in Sugar Grove, both of which were severely damaged during Helene. I also have a boy toddler who keeps me very busy. Our main hobby at the moment is trying to renovate our home and farm so we can all move back in soon.
Favorite part of role: I have a lot of experience in emergency situations and disaster response, so Hurricane Helene got me back into it. I have been working with nurses and EMTs around Western North Carolina to distribute anything that is needed (wound care, diabetic/heart/psychiatric meds, vaccinations, etc). We received a grant so that we can have a mobile pharmacy and reach out to harder hit areas to provide important medication to people, completely free of charge.
Kyndall Monroe, Pharm, D
Pharmacist
Makayla Caudill
Prescription Assistance Coordinator
About Makayla She/Her
Started at HHC: September 2022
Bio: I was born and raised in Hickory and attended Appalachian State University for a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. My role at Hunger and Health is to provide free brand-name medications and free eyeglasses to eligible clients.
Background: Bachelor of Science in Public Health. I was a Certified Nursing Assistant for five years before coming to HHC as an intern and then was hired as a staff member!
Favorite vegetable: Mushrooms
Favorite fruit: Pineapple
Favorite medication: Phenazopyridine, it turns your urine orange!
Hobbies: Variations of Crafting, hiking, puzzles, and thrifting
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of being the Prescription Assistance Coordinator is being able to give away expensive medications to people who don't have the income or the insurance to cover it, for free. For example, I had a medication to order in 2023 that was $16,000 for a one-month supply that I was able to give away for free.
About Rachel She/Her
Rachel Hopper, MS/DI Candidate
Graduate Assistant
About Alyssia She/Her
Started at HHC: August 2022
Bio: I'm from Sanford, NC, and attended Central Carolina Community College. I started to volunteer at HHC on and off in 2018 when I would visit my sister, Alyssa, and then was hired to the staff in 2022!
Background: Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene
Favorite vegetable: Corn
Favorite fruit: Watermelon
Favorite medication: Olmesartan because it smells like cake batter/ yogurt!
Hobbies: concerts, tattoos, anime
Favorite part of role: Being able to help our clients get their medication in a timely manner without a lapse in coverage. Filling prescriptions is one of my favorite parts of the job.
Alyssia Medina
Pharmacy Technician
About Jennifer She/Her
Jennifer Koenig
Pharmacy Technician
Bilingual - Spanish
Started at HHC: October 2022
Bio: I'm a bilingual (Spanish) pharmacy tech at HHC! I started as a volunteer at HHC in January of 2021 and then joined the staff in 2022!
Favorite vegetable: Roasted root vegetables
Hobbies: Hiking, reading
Favorite part of role: Helping our Spanish-speaking clients to get the help they're looking for!
Customer Services
About Susan She/Her
Susan Ashburn
Front Desk Manager
About Mary She/Her
Started at HHC: December 2022
Bio: I'm from Marshall, NC and I went to App State for my bachelor's degree and ended up staying in Boone after graduating. I wanted to do something in the nonprofit sector involving helping people which is how I ended up in my current role.
Background: Bachelor's in Social Work
Favorite fruit: Banana
Hobbies: Reading, crafting, thrifting
Favorite part of role: The best part of my role is getting to see all of my client friends and spend time with them!
Mary Bishop
Operations Assistant
About Emma She/Her
Started at HHC: December 2023
Bio: I was born and raised in Boone and went to App. I’m an operations assistant and serve as the first point of contact for clients.
Background: I have a Bachelors in Journalism with a minor in English.
Favorite vegetable: Cabbage
Hobbies: Fishing, live music, crocheting, and playing with my cat Django.
Favorite part of role: The best part of my role is getting to see all of my client friends and spend time with them!
Emma Shew
Operations Assistant
About Chelsea She/Her
Started at HHC: June 2023
Bio: I grew up in Lenoir, NC, but Boone is home to me. I came here to attend Appalachian State for a degree in social work and have lived here for 8 years now.
Background: Bachelor's in Social Work
Favorite fruit: Tomato
Hobbies: Taking pictures, going to concerts, thrifting, and watching movies
Favorite part of role: My favorite part of my role at HHC is being able to interact with the clients and get to know them and their stories.
Chelsea Pipes
Operations Assistant
SUPPORT SPECIALIST
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About Ham He/Him
Started at HHC: May 2022
Bio: Ham was adopted from Watauga Humane Society at 3 months old. Ham was homeschooled where he graduated top of his class with a variety of tricks. Ham works as security, using his beagle talents to howl at everyone who enters his mom's office when he visits on Fridays. On his down time, he also works to shred documents for the office staff.
Background: Registered Good Boy
Favorite vegetable: Sweet potato
Hobbies: Ham enjoys long sniffies, staring at you, laying in the sun, and sleeping under the covers after a hard day at work.
Favorite part of role: Getting to be with my mom!