Helping Harvest announces five new board members

Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank is thrilled to announce the addition of five new members of the Board of Directors. Brenda Barton, English Bradley, Ann Marie Haus, Joyce Mays and Debra Pook were appointed at our December Board Meeting. All new members have had experience with volunteering for Helping Harvest or being involved as part of their professional career.

“We are thrilled to welcome a dynamic and diverse group of women to our Board of Directors,” said Jay Worrall, President of Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. “I really admire the perspective that each of these five women have added to our discussions about better serving our community. It is clear that their deep connection to our mission, along with their unique backgrounds, will greatly strengthen our board.”

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“Additionally, our Board is now under the leadership of Jeanne Porter, who has been an invaluable asset as Vice Chair for the past two years. Her unwavering commitment to our mission and to supporting our neighbors facing food insecurity makes her an outstanding leader for this group. We look forward to an exciting and impactful year ahead in 2025.”

Brenda Barton spent a successful career in the field of education. She worked for the Pottstown School District for 16 years as a speech therapist. She later moved to the Parkland School District for another 16 years where she served as a Coordinator of Special Education, an Elementary School Principal and her final position in the district was the Director of Student Services. She recently retired and lives with her husband, Jamie, in Orwigsburg. They have four children between them, Alee, Jack, Nick, and Joe.

English Bradley is a lifelong Berks County resident and was formerly the Acting Executive Director of Berks Community Television (BCTV) in Reading. She has over four years of experience in nonprofits and ten years of experience in marketing, sales, high-end customer service, full-cycle recruiting, and administration. Bradley is now Chief of Staff to City of Reading Mayor Eddie Moran. English is passionate about managing and shifting culture in organizations and communities. Ms. Bradley is pursuing undergraduate studies at Alvernia University and has completed numerous certificate programs, most notably Non-Profit Management from the accredited Non-Profit Center at LaSalle University. Ms. Bradley serves on a variety of boards and committees to include, Board President of Berks Community Action Program, The Reading Public Museum Foundation, and The Salvation Army. English graduated from Reading High School in 2008 and is expected to graduate in 2026 with a BS in Business Management from Alvernia University.

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Ann Marie Haus is the VP, Business Development and Community Outreach for Customers Bank. She is responsible for identifying new opportunities and building relationships with potential clients and partners. She is also responsible for connecting Customers Bank with the community in which it serve. Her passion encompasses being an advocate for local nonprofits to help improve the lives of those they are serving.

Ann Marie started her career in philanthropy. She was the Executive Director of the Ephrata Area Education Foundation and prior to taking her current role, she was the Director of Development for Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. Her role oversaw all philanthropic objectives and priorities for the local community hospital. Ann Marie is a graduate of the Leadership Berks program, under the direction of the United Way of Berks County. Upon graduating, Ann Marie currently serves as a board member for VOiCEup Berks and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP PA) Berks Regional Chapter. She also serves as a committee member for Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Girl Scouts Take the Lead and the GRCA Women2Women Research & Development committee. Ann Marie earned a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Susquehanna University, and MBA from PennWest Clarion. During her personal time, you can find Ann Marie on the golf course, in her kitchen cooking/baking something delicious, or volunteering with her family – husband, Tony and three boys, Tyler, Dylan and Wyatt.

Joyce Mays retired from First Energy after pursuing a 35-year career in Information Technology. She has a passion to serve vulnerable individuals particularly around food insecurity. You can often find her registering neighbors at the Helping Harvest Berks and Schuylkill Counties Mobile Markets. Joyce also volunteers with several mission opportunities at West Lawn United Methodist Church including prepping and serving dinners at Opportunity House and Hope Rescue Mission. In addition, she is heavily engaged in the weekly dinners served at the church whose profits are used to support many mission activities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Debra Pook, born in Scranton, PA has spent most of her life in the Keystone State. Debra and Ron Pook began their professional journey in the antique business, which transitioned to the auction industry in 1984 with the founding of Pook & Pook, Inc. Based in Downingtown, PA, the company remains a thriving family endeavor, where Debra continues to stay actively involved. In 2007, she and her husband, Ron, purchased a 150-acre farm in Oley, which they lovingly restored before moving in 2010. Today, the farm operates as a certified organic grain farm, reflecting Debra’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. Married for 54 years, Debra and Ron have built a large and loving family, including eight children, 17 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Debra brings a wealth of experience in restoration, entrepreneurship, and community-focused initiatives.

Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank is the leading provider of food assistance in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, delivering over 10.5 million pounds of food valued at $20.5 million last year through more than 350 distribution locations. As a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, Helping Harvest continues to fight food insecurity and support local communities.

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Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital newspaper covering the City of Reading and Berks County. Download the mobile app: berksweekly.com/app
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