Foodshare's Chief Operating Officer

Name: Christine O'Rourke

Role at Foodshare: Over the past twenty-three years, Chris has worked in various jobs here, including food solicitor, volunteer coordinator, agency relations contact and, in keeping with a lot of our team players, stepped in and worked in the warehouse and even driven a truck when the need arose.  Chris is now our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and she knows our operation top to bottom.  Chris handles all the day-to-day operations of running a multi-million dollar business.

Hobbies: bike riding

Why I do what I do at Foodshare:  "I started volunteering when I was around 14 years old and always knew that I wanted to do something with my life to help other people. Working at Foodshare has allowed me to do that."

Most recent accomplishment:  "Going skiing again after 20+ years and actually making it down the mountain without killing myself!"

What others say about her:  Chris is the heart of what makes Foodshare operate as an efficient business as well as an effective charity.

Last read: The Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer

What has changed the most at Foodshare in your time here?  "Although I have been at Foodshare a long time, my job, and Foodshare have changed so much over the years that it almost feels like I have worked at many different places! When I first joined Foodshare we had three or four employees and a handful of volunteers – today the employees number close to 50 and we engaged over 3,000 volunteers in our work last year. I have enjoyed the change and the variety and the fact that the organization continues to evolve in order to best accomplish our mission of ending hunger in greater Hartford."

What has stayed the same?  "Gloria's laugh!"

What are you most proud of?   "Being instrumental in getting our Mobile Foodshare program off the ground - this program distributes thousands of pounds of healthy, nutritious, fresh produce to people in need every week."

Something about me that few people know:  "For about a year I was a door to door canvasser for a consumer/environmental group. To this day I can't say "no" when a canvasser comes to my door!"

Anne Frank once said that in spite of everything, she believed people were basically good. Do you agree or disagree?   "Agree. If you need any proof of it just spend some time at Foodshare the week before Thanksgiving -- you'll meet some of the nicest, most generous people around!"