Neighbors Making a Difference: Kirsten Pitzer leads efforts to feed those in need

*sponsored by MAECO

When a lot of people think of Sandy Community Action Center, they think of the woman at the helm: Kirsten Pitzer. Which makes sense, since she’s held the executive director position for the better part of a decade, succeeding Dawn Loomis about 8.5 years ago.

Pitzer had a career in education before coming to the Center, and also volunteered in the food pantry for three years before the board encouraged her to apply for the leadership position. 

“I liked the fact that (the Center) was totally local and that everything we brought in went back out into the community; we’re dealing with local people,” Pitzer said of why she was first drawn to give her time at the Center. “There is also a low barrier to volunteering and there are tons of nice people.” 

Besides a general call to serve, Pitzer explained that it’s the relationships she’s built and continues to build with the people — volunteers, customers and community partners — that has kept her motivated to stay at the Center despite the challenges she’s faced.

Though she’s the executive director, Pitzer has performed essentially every duty required at the Center: from taking food and clothing donations at the dock and stocking the pantry to writing grant letters and navigating crises that typically not only impact funding, but increase the number of people in need of the Center’s services. 

In going from being a volunteer to running the Center, Pitzer said a big lesson she learned was just “all of the different layers and facets of what have to happen” for the Center to operate. 

On top of Center operations, Pitzer also organizes the annual Tickle Trot 5K, which she inherited when she came on and has grown and improved over time. This event is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit. 

“It also gives the town time to come together over an event that helps the center for the whole year,” Pitzer added. 

And she also spends ample time advocating at the county level for resources in Sandy.

While running the center is hard work, Pitzer’s passion for her community runs deep. 

“I love this town,” she said. “I was born here. I have kids here. I have roots here. And there also aren’t many social services organizations or resources in Sandy. I think besides helping with food, the Action Center is a hub for the community, and I like being a part of it.” 

This year marks 65 years of the Action Center serving Sandy, and that work wouldn’t be possible without community support, both through volunteer manpower and through monetary donations. 

For more information on how to donate your time or money to the Center, visit sandyactioncenter.com.