New leadership at Salem Community Pantry

SALEM -- The Salem Community Pantry is alive and well, with new leadership inviting those in need to come inside, grab a cart and shop for their choices.

"I just want to show the community we are still here -- we're eager to serve the public," new Salem Community Pantry Director Don Yeasted said.

When the pandemic hit last year, the pantry shut down, then eventually reopened as a drive-up operation. Two weeks ago, the doors opened for indoor choice shopping.

For now, both patrons and volunteers must wear masks inside. Yeasted said 98 percent of the volunteers have been vaccinated, but the board decided it was a good decision at this time to still require masks. They're also encouraging social distancing and trying to keep only eight shoppers on the pantry floor at one time.

The pantry won't be open Monday due to the holiday, but normal operating hours at 9 a.m. to noon Monday and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Patrons can come twice a month and must be a resident of the 44460 zip code, which includes both Columbiana and Mahoning counties. They also must have identification.

Pre-pandemic the numbers served were 140 to 150 families per week, but now the numbers are down to 50 families.

"Disappointing numbers, but I think once the people start coming back, they're going to realize they need us," Yeasted said, noting that some of the programs from the pandemic are being phased out.

He said the pantry's ready for more people to come. The flow of how people shop has changed and he's still working on some other changes to the operation.

Jackie Berthold, who served as temporary interim director for two-and-a-half years, said Yeasted and new board president Tom Beck "are ready to have the pantry grow up and mature."

Yeasted had just retired from his career as a case worker at the federal prison in Elkton in May 2019 when he came to his first pantry distribution and volunteered. He had been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and knew there was a need, plus he felt it was very important to get back to knowing the city.

"I knew there was a need to help people to get a better life for themselves. I knew the pantry was a good avenue to accomplish that goal," he said.

A 1985 graduate of Salem High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice/public service from the University of Akron in 1990 and got a job with Columbiana County Adult Probation. He became a case manager at the prison in 1997 when it first opened and remained there until retirement.

His wife, Dr. Genie Wendel, is an audiologist, and he has one stepdaughter and a 9-year-old step-granddaughter. He also has two sisters and a late brother.

When he was in college, he volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Summit County. He's a member of the Lisbon Masonic Lodge 65, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and a retired member of the local American Federation of Government Employees. In January, Mayor John Berlin appointed him to the Salem Civil Service Commission.

"Volunteering's kind of in my DNA, that's inherent in my blood," Yeasted said.

Berthold had been showing him different parts of the operation as a volunteer. He became vice president of the pantry board in January and by May, he had been talked into becoming director. 

"The pantry is in good hands," Berthold said.

As one of the founding members and volunteers, she's been there since the beginning in 2009. Yeasted said she's been a good mentor and the boards and volunteers over the years have set a good foundation. Berthold said it's been a good transition with Yeasted.

Almost all the volunteers have come back since the pandemic, with at least 20 for distributions and more who volunteer to stock shelves or make pickups of donations from local businesses, which happens four times a week.

Giant Eagle, Marc's, Aldi's and Walmart donate food every week and Sparkle donates directly to Second Harvest Food Bank. They also get donations from Dollar General. On average, they receive 3,500 to 4,500 pounds of food per week from local stores, including produce and non-perishable items. Food is also purchased from Second Harvest.

Local vendors sometimes call, such as Pepperidge Farm, giving donations of bread, including 350 loaves of bread in the past month. The pantry still receives donations from local churches, the schools, Salem North and West Healthcare Centers, Berkshire Hathaway, Salem Rotary, Salem Kiwanis and other organizations. Anonymous donors will hand over money for specific items or just whatever is needed. They recently had baby formula and cat food donated.

"The community has been so overwhelmingly supportive of the pantry over the years," Yeasted said.

The pantry has partnerships with two local farm markets, Rea's and Huffman's.

The Salem Community Foundation has a fund for the pantry where donors can direct funds. Salem Community Pantry has a Facebook page and there's a new email at SalemPantry44460@gmail.com. Call 330-332-5166 if interested in volunteering.

Yeasted said they're always looking for better ways to serve the community. One thing they don't plan to change is the location at the corner of Vine Avenue and East Third Street because it's centrally located, plus it's convenient for walkers. Parking is an issue but the pantry has permission to use the KSU City Center parking lot after hours.

Some may not know this, but he said the building has some history behind it, too, as the location of the first Plymouth dealership in the nation. He wants to honor the building for what it represents, it's history for the city of Salem and the county.