Everyday challenges
At the other extreme were the everyday challenges. Mimi was at her welcoming best as comforter and problem solver. She knew every client’s name and many of the hurdles they had to surmount. Before Covid, the pantry had tra c jams of older single patrons and at-home moms with babies and toddlers, who came early, happy to wait for one of the four shopping baskets when they had neighbors, friends and Mimi to talk with.
“What’s up? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” she’d ask the regulars when she noticed slumped shoulders, tear tracks or another sign of sadness.
Lose a house? She knew of a potential rental.
Sick goat and no money for a vet? She tracked down home remedies online.
Busted refrigerator? She telephoned someone who’d mentioned a week earlier that they had a fridge to donate, AND she asked them to deliver.
No way to get to a doctor’s o ce? She connected pantry people with Rapp at Home.
No way to pay the electric bill? She directed them to the Benevolent Fund.
But Mimi was more than a onewoman referral center for all kinds of help. She was o en the rst to hear of a cancer diagnosis, a death, a grievous hurt or a great loss. Then she’d nd a quiet and private corner to listen and, if asked, to guide, but mostly, it was the listening that mattered.
All the while, growth to match the need continued. Freezers, refrigerators and a big deli case were installed, personal care, laundry and hygiene items were added, more hungry people found their way to the pantry, and when the rented quarters in Sperryville got tight and the owner wanted to sell the building, the search was on for permanent space, focusing on a more central location in or near the town of Washington. The pantry’s board of directors looked at existing structures and land to build on, but found nothing that was appropriate, a ordable and available. Then developer and philanthropist Chuck Akre proposed a mixed-use development, which was to include a ordable housing, a small o ce building and a permanent home for the food pantry. A er some giveand-take between county and town on zoning and services, Washington’s Rush River Commons was approved, and construction is underway, with the completion of the new pantry home expected by late spring of 2024.
“It was time for me to retire and give a new manager a clear eld to lead the pantry into the future,” Mimi said. “I went into this knowing it was a parttime job and never imagining I would stay 14 years! At 75, I’m just tired,” she acknowledged. “I want more time for myself, my family, my dogs, my garden, my house and my business. I have a profession, and I’m good at it,” she explained. “I want to work at my own pace, on my own schedule.
“I’ve always loved to have dinner parties, and I’ve hosted them all over the world,” Mimi continued. “I just love to feed people. This turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done in my life, and it’s hard to walk away, but at some point, you have to move on.”
Laura Lucas, the assistant pantry manager, and Shauna Volmrich, the volunteer coordinator, will be running day-to-day operations for the foreseeable future. Forbes selected and trained them before her departure.