CENTERBURG — After 13 years at the helm, Jacqueline Ann Cordle retired from her role as director/director emeritus of the Jacqueline McCalla-Cordle Children’s Fund Food Pantry (JCCF).
Her retirement was effective December 2023.
Her journey into retirement comes after watching two successful Christmas distributions and seeing fundraising bring the pantry back to almost a three-year sustainability level.
“This has been a very rewarding yet challenging journey I have traveled since my mother, Jacque Cordle, died in 2010, and I took over her role of supporting the community,” Cordle wrote in a release. “Community support has always been very good for the pantry, so enhancing mom’s community efforts became very easy!”
Blessed in 2013 by the board of family and friends, local churches, the school system, ISS, and the community, the Jacque Cordle Children’s Fund was created as a 501(c)(3) organization. Kerry Dobbins made it possible to open a permanent pantry site at 12 W. Main St. in 2016.
The pantry set high standards by making seven days of food available monthly to anyone who lived in the Centerburg Local School District (CLSD). Food distributions continued for school breaks to assure families had the extra food necessary to feed their children.
The board next started a senior citizen food delivery program for home-bound citizens in need of food. The men from Milford Church of Christ partnered with the board to deliver 7-10 days of food on the third Thursday of each month.
This year the major school break food distributions were opened up to any family in the CLSD that met the financial guideline qualifications from Job and Family Services.
Food is available monthly by calling 419-560-5991 for a private appointment to get seven days of food from 12 W. Main St. The entrance is off the alleyway at the back of the building. Seniors may call the same number to start monthly food delivery.
“The pantry has always had amazing community support. The very caring board will see the community services continue,” Cordle wrote.
The pantry board seeks more volunteers to work the pantry and serve the clients. The board will also fill director and assistant director positions. Call 740-625-1199 or email jacquecordlechildrensfund.org to set up an interview appointment and join a super organization serving the community residents.
“My journey with the pantry has been incredible and very much led by God,” Cordle said. “Thank you, community, for all your support. Clients know they are cared about and will continue to be well served by the volunteers and board members.
“To all the community organizations, churches, the school system, Knox Community Foundation, Food For The Hungry, Knox County Local Food Council, Centerburg Senior Center, MidOhio Food Bank, and hundreds of supportive community members, thank you for your support to make this journey even possible. I know you will see this ministry continue.”
Cordle said that as one journey ends, a new one has begun.
“I am looking forward to a retirement filled with watching and playing with my grandson, working in my yard and garden, and lots of canning and freezing of food,” she said.
“Be well, my friends. Eat healthy, and know you are loved and cared for by a very special organization! Everyone will work very hard to see there are no empty tummies in the CLSD. ‘Bless us, every one’ is a Tiny Tim quote my mother always used to close her messages.”
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