Feeding Medina County names new director

MEDINA — A new executive director has been hired at Feeding Medina County, and it comes at a critical juncture during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding Medina County's board of trustees announced Monday the selection of Katy Fuerst as the organization's new leader. She will replace the retiring Sandy Hinkle, 73, who has been on board since 2014. Fuerst brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for equity, social justice and food insecurity to this important Medina County leadership role, according to a news release. Board President Daryl Kubilus said in a statement "Katy's strategic vision, grant-writing expertise, personality and commitment to the food insecure in our community made her our top choice from an immensely talented field of applicants. We look forward to working with Katy as she leads the great work of this organization for which we all care so deeply." After a period of training and transition in December, when she will work hand-in-hand with Hinkle, Fuerst will fully step into the role in January. She most recently served as the assistant director at the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Northeast Ohio. Prior to that, she worked at the Cleveland Housing Network Housing Partners and in workforce Development at El Barrio. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Fuerst holds a bachelor of arts in degree in sociology from Cleveland State University and will complete her master's degree in nonprofit administration from John Carroll University this spring. She lives with her husband, Mark, their three children and several rescue animals in Sharon Center, and said she is ready to embrace the work of Feeding Medina County. "It is no surprise that hunger has devastating effects on the physical and mental health of those experiencing it," Fuerst said. "This year, unprecedented numbers of Americans are experiencing food insecurity — Medina County is no exception. I am honored to be the next executive director of Feeding Medina County and to lead the organization and work together with our community toward our mission of 'creating an environment where no one goes hungry.' "It's a mission anyone can totally get behind. It's a dream come true." Fuerst said there are two full-time and one part-time employee on staff with Feeding Medina County. Her salary was not disclosed. Kubilus said Hinkle intended to retire earlier in the year, but due to COVID-19, told the board she would be willing to stay longer to help with the transition. "We are grateful for that," Kubilus, Cloverleaf Schools superintendent said. "That will give us some extra time. She has incredible institutional knowledge." Kubilus said the organization has grown immensely under Sandy's leadership. When Hinkle came aboard, Feeding Medina County was in its infancy as a three-year-old organization. The Weekenders for Children program was servicing a small percentage of Medina County schoolchildren on the free and reduced lunch program and the Staples for Seniors program was just getting started. Under her leadership, those programs and others have expanded to serve many more at-risk individuals and families, and the operating budget has tripled. "The easiest thing I ever did was to accept the position of executive director for Feeding Medina County," Hinkle said previously. "When the vision of an organization aligns itself to your heart, then there are no bad days." The Weekender program provides more than 1,000 bags of food weekly for children, providing meals over the weekend covering qualified students from 32 schools, Head Start and Medina County Developmental Disability sites. The Staples for Seniors program distributes 30 pounds of food monthly to more than 400 seniors and disabled living in low income housing. The Food Transportation program delivers for free, food orders to 24 partner pantries in the county. In addition, Feeding Medina County coordinates monthly yearlong food distributions servicing more than 200 families at the Medina County Fairgrounds. Hinkle said she has been "blessed to work with the most amazing people, from board members, staff, volunteers, peers and donors. "I have been equally blessed to be touched by those I have served. Sometimes you just get more than you give." Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.