Second Harvest welcomes new board members

LORAIN — Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio recently announced new board members and roles for its operational year, which runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. "Our board plays a vital role in our mission to create pathways to nutritious food," said Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest. "With a wide range of backgrounds and expertise, their guidance strengthens our impact and helps us reach more families across our community." New board members Tyler Puckrin is a senior accountant and certified public accountant for Payne, Nickles & Co. who also works on his family's farm, Puckrin Farms in Sandusky. Second Harvest "will benefit from his insight into programming that connects agriculture and food banks in addition to his financial knowledge," according to a nonprofit statement. "I have firsthand experience with food production and understand the importance of connecting quality food with those who need it most," Puckrin said. "I am committed to building stronger connections among surrounding communities by fostering collaboration between food pantries, markets, local producers and other community partners to expand access to fresh, nutritious food for all." Kyle Stang is the vice president of Janotta & Herner, a design-build general contractor. His regional development and project management expertise will inform strategic partnerships to increase food access and improve food systems. "I have always admired the mission of making sure healthy, nutritious food reaches those in need throughout our communities," Stang shared. "To me, this is an opportunity to directly impact my community in one of the most meaningful ways." New board roles Manoj Kumar is the nonprofit's new board chair. He has served on the Second Harvest board since 2022. "He has garnered support from the business community for major events, including Harvest For Hunger and Generous Helpings," the statement read. In addition to his active role on the board, most recently as board vice chair, Kumar is the head of Global Manufacturing Strategy at Solstice Advanced Materials. Susan Warner is the new vice board chair. She has served on the board since 2023. "She has been instrumental in helping with Second Harvest's five-year strategic plan," the statement read. "Alongside her work on the board, Warner is the assistant general counsel at Nordson Corp. Michael Miller is the new treasurer. He has served on the board since 2020 and "has championed our mission throughout Erie and Huron counties," the statement read. In addition to his role on the board, Miller is the managing partner at Payne, Nickles & Co. "Our board shares our vision of a brighter future for all by cultivating a healthy, hunger-free community," Chase-Morefield said. "They will be instrumental in helping get us there." People can visit secondharvestfoodbank.org or call 440-960-2265 for more information. Bio blast Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio provided the following summary about its organization: As the area's largest hunger-relief organization, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio grows hope in our region by creating pathways to nutritious food and envisions a brighter future for all by cultivating a healthy, hunger-free community. Second Harvest secures and distributes more than 11 million pounds of food and grocery products annually and works in partnership with 126-member partner charities and 10-plus school districts, including food pantries, hot meal programs, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, senior food delivery and after-school programs throughout Crawford, Erie, Huron and Lorain counties. About 80% of neighbors Second Harvest serves have at least one child, senior citizen or a person with a disability in their home, and two out of three people have had to skip meals at some point in the last year. Driven by our current strategic plan, we are taking bold steps to make lasting change by developing partnerships and plans to create long-term food security for all. Help bring the most basic of needs, food, to the table by visiting us at secondharvestfoodbank.org.