By addressing food insecurity with compassion and dignity, we help create a brighter future for Central Oregon.
Meet our Team
Working together to feed our neighbors in need.
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What do I love about TGP:
The thing I love most about being part of The Giving Plate is the incredible people I’m surrounded by—both my team and the families we serve. Every day, their stories, resilience, and kindness fill my heart in ways that drive me. It’s not just a “job” for me; it’s a calling, a passion, and an honor to walk alongside such beautiful people as we work together to create a community of hope and compassion.
Feeding Hope Means to Me:
For me, feeding hope means showing someone going through a difficult time that their circumstances don’t define them or their worth. Life can be incredibly tough, but that doesn't define who someone is. When we extend kindness, compassion, and a reminder that they’re not alone, we help people see beyond their current struggles. That hope, once ignited, is the foundation of resilience. Without it, it’s hard to see beyond the immediate struggles, and one will often stay stuck in them. But when hope is present, it helps people move forward and envision a future brighter than the challenges they face.
Random Fact:
Right out of high school, I traveled to several third-world countries with an organization called YWAM, including the Philippines, Japan, Nepal, India, Laos, and Cambodia. Cambodia, in particular, captured and broke my heart. I was deeply moved by the children I met, many of whom had been rescued from the streets and sex trafficking. That experience stirred something powerful within me—a deep sense of purpose in helping others. I returned on my own for four months to teach English and work with an organization that helped rescue children. Those travels shaped my life’s journey and showed me the true gift of giving back.
Executive Director
Senior
Operations
Manager
Marketing & Administrative Lead
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What do you love most about working for The Giving Plate?
I'm so proud to work for an organization whose staff, volunteers, and guests have so much love to give. The genuine sense of warmth and community I feel at The Giving Plate is unlike anywhere else. Not many people get to go to work every day and feel such comfort, so I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who continually inspire and uplift one another!
What does feeding hope mean to you?
To me, feeding hope means shining a spotlight on the power of unity. We can’t sustain life without hope, and we can’t sustain hope without each other! Coming together to serve our community and reignite hope where it has been lost is truly invaluable.
What is a random fact about you?
Growing up, I did several different sports and activities, but my all time favorite was dance. After my childhood best friend introduced me to my first class, it wasn’t long before I was spending hours at the studio after school every day. I did multiple styles of dance for many years- jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, modern, and tap. I still miss dancing and aspire to get back into it someday soon!
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What do you love about working with The Giving Plate?
The camaraderie of the staff and volunteers. Bringing new ideas to a group of people who are always looking for better ways to serve our community.
What does feeding hope mean to you?
Knowing that we provide people the opportunity to take a breath. To be able to take a moment of stress and worry off of their shoulders so they can focus on something besides where the next meal is going to come from.
What is a random fact about you?
I took a 28 day cross country road trip with my son when he was 14. We saw so many amazing places and made some great memories!
Community Store Inventory & Logistics Lead
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What do you love most about working for The Giving Plate?
What I love about The Giving Plate is the warm sense of welcome, belonging and compassion that can be felt in the presence of The Giving Plate community. From the volunteers to the guests, everyone involved contributes to a shared atmosphere of care —and you can truly feel it when you walk through the door.
What does feeding hope mean to you?
To me, feeding hope can look like cultivating a space where we can all meet each other where we are at, where we hold kindness and support for one another, and practice living out of love. Hope is about seeing pathways and feeling empowered to look toward a brighter tomorrow; even in the face of hardship. Feeding hope is to lean into and share those opportunities in connection with others.
What is a random fact about you?
After being inspired by the rich culture of local food and art in Vermont, I returned to my small hometown in Colorado and launched a summer market. The market partnered with nearby farms to offer fresh produce and provided a platform for community members to share their handmade goods and artwork. At the time, our town didn’t have a farmers market, so the community’s excitement and participation were truly heartening!
Program
Manager
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What I love most about working at The Giving Plate is the privilege of knowing our guests! I enjoy the simple things like a smile filled greeting from a child coming to Kids Korner or a story about a man’s best furry friend and I cherish the moments when our guests share their trials and their triumphs.
Feeding hope is about creating space for someone to express their story, it's about affirming them while reminding them that their current challenges are just one chapter, it’s about offering encouragement, so they can navigate their journey with renewed strength and optimism.
Hard to choose just one random fact about me…I am a quilter, more artsy than traditional. Perhaps best known for learning the rules of quilting only to break them!
Community
Engagement
Manager
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What I love most about working with The Giving Plate is the opportunity to serve my community alongside an incredible team.
To me, feeding hope means addressing not just hunger, but also the deeper needs of our guests.
A fun fact about me: In 3rd grade, my favorite teacher, Brian Horne, moved up to 4th grade to stay with students he connected with, including me. He nicknamed me "Ramona" after Ramona Quimby, Age 8, and we still keep in touch today.
Warehouse
Manager
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I love working at The Giving Plate. It is such a beautiful work environment working with the very best people. and getting to help people on top of that is the best feeling. We are truly a family here.
Feeding Hope means not just feeding people with food but feeding their hearts as well, meeting them where they are in the moment. Letting them know that they are cared for and loved.
A Random fact about me is I'm from Aurora Illinois and My parents and brothers and myself were all born there in the same hospital.
Warehouse
Lead
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I love working at The Giving Plate because supporting the people around you is the best investment anyone can make, and that's what I enjoy doing! Not to mention all of my amazing friends I get to work with on the daily! Food is also an absolute necessity and giving access to grocery items, produce, dairy, and eggs, you’ve got yourself a full pantry at home and full bellies as well.
Feeling hope is something that no one wants to go through, let alone think about, until you are hopeless and you need support. For some people support comes easy from friends or family neighbors even, but for others it can be a bit challenging or seemingly impossible. Whatever the need is big or small, The Giving Plate can be that thing that fills those gaps or gives you a shoulder to lean on, or to just be present in the moment.
One random fact about me: Hmm, so many to choose from. If I had to pick one, it would have to be that despite being surrounded by confectionary desserts and pastries galore, I have in fact lost interest in sweet treats. But that’s ok, that means there’s more for you guys!
Volunteer
Manager
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What do you love about working with The Giving Plate?
I love connecting with so many people- from our volunteers, guests, to staff. I am so grateful to be a part of such a welcoming, kind community!
What does feeding hope mean to you?
Feeding hope means uplifting people when they need it most. With empathy and support, you can make others feel seen and valued.
What is a random fact about you?
I love to climb at Smith Rock!
Volunteer
Lead
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I love working alongside like minded individuals who share a genuine heart to serve. Together, we create a supportive and compassionate environment where making a difference in others' lives is our collective mission. It's inspiring to be part of a team that is unified by purpose and driven by the desire to uplift those facing a hard season.
Feeding hope means more than just providing food; it's about creating a supportive environment helping those in need get through these tough moments with dignity.
A random fact about me: I love being outdoors enjoying nature and spend my free time hiking whenever I can.
Senior Development
Manager
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What do you love most about working for The Giving Plate?
I love getting to serve people with intentionality, compassion, and love- hearing and validating their stories, laughing with them, celebrating the wins, and supporting them in the trials. I love being a part of a mission that leads with love, centers on hope, and strives to always see people through the lens of immense worth and dignity.
What does feeding hope mean to you?
It means that no matter what is going on in our lives, we get the opportunity to be really there for each other, in the big and small ways. We get to speak life into situations that feel dark, speak worth into situations that can feel demeaning, and speak love into situations that can feel lonely. Feeding hope means we get to help push back the darkness with light.
What is a random fact about you?
I have had the opportunity to live in a lot of different places, including living in Germany for 4 years and Alaska for 6 years!
To contact a team member of The Giving Plate, please email info@thegivingplate.org.
Accounting Team
Paul Adams
Co-Owner of Deep Roots
Business Solutions
Nicki Zink
Co-Owner of Deep Roots
Business Solutions
Tracie Layman
Bookkeeper
(Volunteer)
