CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Shippensburg Produce and Outreach has hired its first executive director, marking a major shift for the food pantry after 16 years of operating entirely with volunteers.

Jennifer Crotsley will take over the role Sept. 1, the pantry announced this week. In a statement released on Wednesday, the organization said she was selected for her experience in social services and her commitment to strengthening community support.
The decision comes as the food pantry continues to see rising demand. According to SPO, more than 1,000 people rely on SPO each week, with monthly distributions reaching 4,000 residents across Cumberland and Franklin counties. That adds up to about 450,000 meals served annually, the organization said.

Crotsley was introduced to volunteers Aug. 26 before the group began packing 1,200 bags of food for distribution. 

“I am so honored to be joining the SPO team,” Crotsley said. “I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the important role SPO plays in supporting this community, and I am excited to contribute to this incredible effort.”

Karen DeShong, president of SPO’s board of directors, said that Crotsley was the right choice to guide the pantry into its next chapter. “Her experience in social services and her passion for cooperation to improve the lives of our neighbors assured us that she will be a great asset to SPO and the Shippensburg community,” DeShong said.
The move to professional leadership comes out of a 2023 sustainability study and the start of a three-year strategic plan that was launched in 2024. Hiring an executive director was one of the plan’s key goals, officials said, and the pantry has now reached it earlier than expected.

SPO serves roughly 400 households weekly, including elderly residents, children, veterans and working families in need. Volunteers remain central to the operation, which is run as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

The pantry will continue its fundraising efforts with two events in September: the Shippensburg University Car Club Motor Show on Sept. 21 and the Fall Faerie Festival on Sept. 27 at Greene Township Park in Chambersburg. More information is available on SPO’s website and Facebook page.