Lois Retires after 23 Years

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana has begun a nationwide search for a leader to continue the organization’s work in the area.

Rockhill’s monthly column on hunger and poverty for The Herald Bulletin in Anderson is frequently picked up by other newspapers in the region and some columns have been published in other newspapers in the state and posted on websites around the nation.

Rockhill also served for many years as a member of a national task force addressing child hunger in the United States.

She has served on the board of directors of the Audubon Society in East Central Indiana, the Nuclear Weapons Peace Campaign and chaired a Clinical Pastoral Education steering committee. Rockhill was an officer with the United Way of Delaware County Executive Directors Council, the Purdue Extension Services in Madison County and currently serves on the board of the Indiana food bank association.

Rockhill graduated from Anderson College in 1965 with a BA in sociology/social work and spent two years in community development in the Peace Corps in Turkey. She served as social worker at a public welfare department, children’s home and a social service agency, then returned to school and earned her master’s degree in 1988.

“Making an announcement like this brings very mixed emotions,” said Rockhill. “A driving force in my life has been trying to make a difference in the lives of others, and I can’t image that going away. I am so appreciative of this area’s commitment to solving the growing hunger issues we face. It is my intention to continue to rally support for this and other causes close to my heart.”

A reception for the community is planned for March 22, 2012 from 3-6 pm at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana’s facility at 6621 N. Old SR 3 in Muncie, IN, 47303. Everyone is invited to attend. “We wish Lois the best in her retirement and know that she will continue to be a staunch supporter of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana,” Caldwell added.

“Lois has been a tremendous leader who has given of her time, energy, and passion to a group of people that are most in need in our communities,” said Caldwell. “At every turn, she advocates for those less fortunate and serves as an example of how all of us might better help our neighbors.”

Under Rockhill’s leadership, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana has grown tremendously. In 1989 the organization distributed 450,000 pounds of food to the community. That total has grown to 9.5 million pounds in 2011. During her tenure the Food Bank has relocated twice, once from 621 Meridian Street to 1417 Meridian Street in Anderson, and most recently to 6621 North Old State Road 3 in Delaware County.

“This is one of those moments in life where you are both extremely happy for someone while at the same time sad for yourself,” said Christopher Caldwell, Chairman of the Board of the Food Bank of East Central Indiana. “The Board is so pleased that we can celebrate with Lois as she begins her next career in retirement, and yet at the same time sorry to be losing such a wonderful leader who has helped the organization achieve goals that none of us could have envisioned even five years ago.”

 After 23 years of service to the area, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana Executive Director Lois Rockhill has announced her retirement.

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