Welcome Melissa Lewis
Melissa Lewis joined the FRFB in May as our new Director of Finance and Administration. She has been happy to jump right in and has already become a valued member of our team. Here's a quick Q&A with Melissa to get to know the latest member of our FRFB family:
What did you do before you came to the FRFB?
Prior to joining FRFB, I spent seven years with the Town of Bowling Green as the Town Clerk and Treasurer. From August 2020 - May 2021, I served as the interim Town Manager. Leading up to my employment with the Town of Bowling Green, I worked as a bookkeeper, accounting clerk, and office manager at a local newspaper and in various automotive-related private industries.
What made you interested in working at the food bank?
Prior to working for local government I always wanted a career that gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact on my community - it is the reason I moved from working in private industry to government. While working in local government and getting to know the community I knew I wanted to contribute to the greater good. The food bank offered me the opportunity to use the professional skills I had acquired to make a difference in my community.
What have you learned about hunger that you didn’t know prior to coming to the food bank?
Before coming to the food bank I had never considered the cost of choosing a healthy nutritious diet and that people facing food insecurity have to make the choice of quantity over quality in the food that they purchase. I was amazed to see the fresh meat, dairy, and produce that the food bank is able to offer.
What are your short-term and long-term goals for your position?
Short term - to understand all of the moving pieces of the food bank!
Long Term - to help support the FRFB mission and organizational growth by providing transparent financial reporting to the public and funders, demonstrating value and accountability.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m married to my husband of 17 years with three children. We moved to the greater Fredericksburg area 15 years ago to run a family business. We enjoy camping, fossil hunting, and any outdoor adventures!