Shippensburg Produce and Outreach Food Pantry has hired Jennifer Crotsley as executive director.

According to a release, after 16 years as an all-volunteer food pantry, Shippensburg Produce and Outreach (SPO) hired an executive director as an investment to ensure SPO’s future serving the Shippensburg community.

“I am so honored to be joining the SPO team,” Crotsley said in a statement. “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.”

Crotsley will step into the role on Sept. 1. She brings the experience and vision SPO’s hiring committee sought to lead Shippensburg’s primary food pantry which serves over 1,000 people each week, per the release.

SPO underwent a sustainability study in 2023 and embarked on a three-year Strategic Plan implementation beginning in 2024. The Strategic Plan called for SPO to hire an Executive Director. SPO’s team of volunteers achieved that milestone ahead of schedule to answer the growing demand for food assistance. Crotsley’s hiring as the Executive Director was announced to SPO volunteers on Tuesday.

“We are so pleased to have hired Jen into this important role,” said SPO Board of Directors President Karen DeShong. “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.”

SPO’s distributions feed 4,000 people every month equating to approximately 450,000 meals per year. SPO provides fresh produce and staple foods each week to 400 households with the elderly, children, military veterans, and young working people residing in the Shippensburg area of Cumberland and Franklin counties.

The public is welcome to attend SPO’s upcoming fundraising events including Shippensburg University (SU) Car Club Motor Show from 9 am-1 pm Sunday, Sept. 21 on the SU campus at 475 Lancaster Drive, Shippensburg; and, the Fall Faerie Festival 10 am-4 pm Saturday, Sept. 27 at Greene Township Park, Chambersburg. Details and updates can be found on SPO’s website or Facebook account.

SPO is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit food pantry dedicated to diligent stewardship of every dollar it receives.