Enfield Food Distribution’s Jean Owens named April Community Hero of the Month
ITHACA – Jean Owens has been the director of Enfield Food Distribution since it began in the 1980s, and brings the same passion, generosity, and dedication to the job since the day she started.
That is just one of the reasons Owens has been named the April Community Hero of the Month by Tompkins Chamber, in partnership with Tompkins Community Bank. This award recognizes individuals from Tompkins County who have significantly impacted our community.
Owens’s role makes her responsible for ordering, receiving, and organizing the entire pantry that feeds 600 families a week, and as a volunteer leader that work is done without pay. But, as her nomination form stated, when you talk to her about her work, “it’s hard to not be captivated by her selflessness.”
“Jean and her family have lived in this area for generations, and she is truly committed to improving the quality of life for people in our community, especially those who live in rural areas. Every person who enters the food pantry is greeted by Jean and she will make sure you have what you need to feed your family. She will even go as far as to give someone $5 of her own money if they can’t afford the gas to make it to work,” stated the nomination. “EFD has been crucial for food insecure people in the county. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of families the pantry serves has more than doubled. Jean has responded to the growing need for food in the community with grace and compassion. Jean Owens is a hero.”
Owens said she did not see the Community Hero of the Month Award coming, and hadn’t thought about it, but “it is a great honor and a great opportunity to share what we’re all about at Enfield Food Distribution.”
“We have 40 volunteers at the pantry,” Owens said. “They are an extremely dedicated, 100 percent volunteer group.”
She said the number of people using Enfield Food Distribution’s services has tripled since before the COVID-19 pandemic and that the organization is serving those beyond the community’s borders.
“We were able to try to fill in the gaps created by the pandemic with increase demand and some pantries (in other places) couldn’t continue,” said Owens. “We were able to meet the need, and we don’t turn anyone away that is in need, regardless of where they live.”
Tompkins Chamber President Jennifer Tavares said Owens’s work is providing a vital resource for the community.
“We have seen how food insecurity affects people, and having a place like Enfield Food Distribution makes it easier for those who need a hand up to feed their families,” she said. “Jean Owens and her team are an essential piece of our community safety net that catches our friends and neighbors when they need it most.”
Tompkins Community Bank President and CEO Greg Hartz said Owens is a great example of a community hero.
“Her work to make sure families have enough food is important, especially when so many are struggling while the economy continues to deal with challenges,” Hartz said. “People like Jean are what makes Tompkins County such a special place to live.”
In addition to finding ways to feed a growing number of people coming to the Enfield Food Distribution, Owens has been working on a facility expansion project that would see the organization move from its current home in the former Enfield Fire Department building.
“We have had to adjust our pantry to fit into that space,” she said. “Since we only have eight dedicated parking spaces and we average 200 families at each distribution in a 3-hour period, it is quite a feat to get people in and out.”
A new location has been determined, Owens said, and the group is working with many others to find grants to help fund the project.
“We’re trying to make that pantry sustainable, and certainly much more user friendly for the community,” she said. “That’s what I do, and I love it. There’s nothing greater than being able to provide food for families. I’ve been there, where I struggled on a daily basis, so I know what it means to not worry about providing food for a family.”
People can best support Enfield Food Distribution, Owens said, by making a financial contribution.
“It always comes down to the bottom line, how we pay for the resources that are needed,” she said, “and monetary donations toward expanding our facility would be appreciated.”
For more information about Enfield Food Distribution, or to make a donation, visit enfieldfooddistribution.com.
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About Community Hero of the Month
Tompkins Community Bank, in partnership with the Tompkins Chamber, launched the Community Hero of the Month Awards in March of 2021, giving deserving recognition to individuals from Tompkins County who have significantly impacted our community. Each month’s winners receive a Community Hero of the Month plaque and a few additional surprises from Tompkins Community Bank.
About Tompkins Chamber
With over 700 active members, the Tompkins Chamber is dedicated to making our community a great place to live and work. The Chamber is a progressive, forward-thinking organization dedicated to promoting business in our region by being the community’s nexus. The mission of the Tompkins Chamber is to foster a healthy economy, a vibrant destination, and improve quality of life in Tompkins County.
About Tompkins Community Bank
Founded in 1836, Tompkins Community Bank serves the Central, Western, and Hudson Valley regions of New York, and the Southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Through their unique local decision-making model, the bank offers personalized service and exceptional responsiveness, while delivering a broad range of products and services for consumers and businesses. Insurance services are offered through Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and wealth management services are available through Tompkins Financial Advisors. Further information is available at tompkinsbank.com.
