A little more about Gloria

As we fairly often post profiles of some of the great employees and volunteers at Foodshare, some of the team have challenged me to answer some of the same questions.  Since they want me to answer a lot of questions, this may come in two or more parts, but here goes with part one…

Name:  Gloria McAdam

Role at Foodshare:  President and CEO

How long?  I have been at Foodshare for 29 ½ years, first as Director, then Executive Director, and for a number of years now, President and CEO.

What has changed the most at Foodshare in your time here?  The sheer numbers of people – so many more people needing help and so many more employees, volunteers, and donors providing help.  When I started at Foodshare in August of 1984, I was the only employee.  My day started by picking up a van (we only had a van then, no trucks) and driving to a local halfway house where I would pick up one to three men who were willing to volunteer for the day.  Today, we have 52 employees, about 4,000 volunteers, and five trucks, which I am not allowed to drive! 

What has stayed the same?The passion and dedication of the volunteers, the donors, and the employees.  And the vision of creating a community where no one goes hungry.

If you could trade places with anyone for a week, who would it be?  Why?  If I could also time travel, it would be a younger version of myself, so I could go back and fix some of the mistakes I’ve made!

If you could be, or do, anything else – what would it be?  It would be something with horses.  I grew up with horses and have never lost my love for them, so maybe owning a stable or maybe running a nonprofit that uses horses in therapeutic ways.

What is your favorite song?  I love music even though I have no talent at all!  Songs often move me, and a big favorite is Garth Brooks rendition of “We Shall Be Free.”  Most of you know that the church is an important part of my life and my favorite hymns include “How Great Thou Art” and “Here I Am.”  Hearing and singing along with any of these songs can move me to tears sometimes.

Last read  While in Chicago, I picked up a book called “The Women.”  It’s a novelized version of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s life and the four women he loved, which was quite scandalous in his time!  And, of course, I still read the paper in the morning!

If you were a superhero, what would your power be?  That’s easy, I’d end hunger, not just here in Hartford, but all around the world!

 

Have more questions you'd like me to answer?  Feel free to e-mail them to me and you just might see them here at some point!