The co-owner of a downtown Ellijay coffeeshop is excited about soon beginning a new leadership role as director of the Gilmer Community Food Pantry.
Amber Kirkpatrick has volunteered at the food pantry for almost two years, most recently as its assistant warehouse manager, said outgoing pantry director Allen Triebel.
Triebel, who’s volunteered at the food pantry for 13 years total and as director the past three years, said he’s long been looking for younger people who can commit to volunteering at or possibly managing the volunteer-run pantry.
“About three years ago, when I took the (director) position, I started looking for youth. This young lady, who’s more than half my age and twice as smart, will be keeping the food pantry a volunteer organization for however many years she wants to do it,” Triebel said while introducing Kirkpatrick during a recent grant reception hosted by Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc.
Kirkpatrick will officially become the food pantry’s director at some point later this year, possibly in June. For now, she’s receiving onsite training and increasingly taking on more managerial responsibilities like leading meetings and handling problems, Triebel noted.
Kirkpatrick and her husband, Andrew, run two downtown Ellijay businesses — the Ellijay Coffeehouse and a new maker space inside the former Top of Ellijay building, which offers different creative, educational and artistic options. They are originally from Paulding County and came to Ellijay by way of Virginia.
“When my husband and I moved down here, we had a bunch of things fall into place so that we’re able to provide a little bit more to the community,” she said.
Volunteering at the food pantry has been a great experience for Kirkpatrick so far, and she’s looking forward to the additional responsibility the transition of leadership will entail.
“Everything we do there day to day is extremely important to people who can’t necessarily find the means for themselves. That was the draw for me,” she said. “The volunteers are very dedicated to what they do. They come in, and they just go. They know what to do and have been doing it for years. Everybody has the same purpose.”
Triebel said the pantry is currently giving out more food, but to fewer people than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ongoing efforts like its Adopt-a-Family program and a partnership with the Gilmer Senior Center are getting food to people who need it, but may not be able to reach the Highway 52 location, he noted.
Triebel, who plans to stay on as a board member, said the food pantry will also soon welcome a new treasurer. Donna Wheeler will take over for outgoing treasurer Sandy Watson June 1, he noted.