Laura Glaza
director@glenellynfoodpantry.org
Laura Glaza joined the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry as Executive Director in Sept. 2020. She brings a broad range of corporate, nonprofit and marketing experience to her role, including a decade each at two Fortune 500 icons – Quaker Oats and Allstate. Laura served stints at the following DuPage County organizations: The Morton Arboretum, The Conservation Foundation, and, most recently, Loaves & Fishes Community Services. She also created and managed the largest after school food service program for needy children through Feeding America. She graduated from the University of Illinois, started her career at Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) in advertising and also worked in public relations for the Chicago Bears. Laura is a devoted fan of movies, the Cubs and travel, and she lives in Glen Ellyn. Laura works part-time at the Pantry.
Monica Sowers
Monica joined the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry as Director of Finance in 2011. She handles all the accounting and financial duties of the food pantry. Monica has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University and an MBA. She is a CPA who has worked in Public Accounting as well as various finance and accounting roles in both Fortune 500 and privately held companies. Monica is a busy mother of four; she loves spending any free time with her family, attending sporting events, staying active, and volunteering at church and school. Monica works part time at the Pantry.
Jodi Hefler
GEFPAdmin@glenellynfoodpantry.org
A local Glen Ellyn resident and Glenbard West graduate, Jodi joined the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry staff in 2008. After volunteering for two years with the Pantry, she then transitioned into an overall administrative role, coordinating and scheduling volunteers and office/data support. Jodi holds a BA degree from National Louis University in Human Services/Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Benedictine University. In addition to her work here, Jodi currently works for the Village of Glen Ellyn as a Senior Services Coordinator, and enjoys CrossFit, reading and gardening. To celebrate entering into her 50's, Jodi got a tattoo at age 50, 51 and 52!! Jodi works part-time at the Pantry.
Terri Venzon
GEFPServices@glenellynfoodpantry.org
After a career in dental health administration with the DuPage County Health Department and private practice Dental groups, Terri joined the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in 2011 and has been an impactful part of our organization ever since. She was a volunteer for one year prior to employment with the Pantry. Terri is the ‘master’ of volunteer coordination, knowing all 400+ Food Pantry volunteers by name! Terri and her husband feel fortunate to have been able to raise their three children in this great community. They love to spend time with family and friends celebrating life. With a memorable laugh and smiling face, Terri feels “honored to be a part of a workplace that provides food and friendship to our neighbors in need.” Terri works part-time at the Pantry.
Mary Pat Watt
Working4Hunger@glenellynfoodpantry.org
After two years of volunteer work with the Pantry, Mary Pat joined the staff as Assistant to Pantry Supervisor in 2013, working with clients and volunteers, and handling administrative duties. Mary Pat holds a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and a MBA degree in Marketing. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Mary Pat enjoys quilting, reading and tailgating with friends and family. Mary Pat and her husband have two sons and one daughter, all of whom were successful athletes from youth through college. Additionally, they have been fortunate to share in their middle son’s amazing opportunity to play football in the NFL. As such, Mary Pat and her family have thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at sporting events, and traveling the country and internationally to games and tournaments, and feel blessed to have had these opportunities. Mary Pat works part-time at the Pantry.
Kathy McDonnell
Working4Hunger@glenellynfoodpantry.org
For her entire 39-year career, Kathy has been involved with food orchestration. Her childhood was filled with experimenting and creating different foods, as her father was a food technologist. This grew into a passion that led Kathy to obtain a B.S. degree in dietetics, nutrition and food science from Northern Illinois University. During her career, she has worked as a dietitian, food technologist and has managed multiple units for businesses and universities for two Fortune 500 food management companies. Kathy and her husband live in Glen Ellyn where they raised their two daughters. Kathy works part-time at the Pantry.
Rich Wloszek
GEFPOps@glenellynfoodpantry.org
Rich began volunteering at the Food Pantry in 2010 and in 2014 was asked to join the staff. He was hired to manage the fledgling Food Recovery Program which has now grown exponentially. Since then, Rich has taken on additional aspects of food acquisition and also handles facilities management. Rich is a graduate of DePaul University and holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management. He is retired after a long career in Financial Services at Goldman Sachs where he worked as a Private Wealth Operations Manager VP. Rich enjoys spending time on the golf course, with family and friends, and playing guitar. As our resident music enthusiast, Rich keeps it jammin’ each and every day as food rolls in from our retail partners. Rich works part-time at the Pantry.
Donna Blake
After initially volunteering for the Pantry for two years, Donna joined the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in 2014, assisting the Pantry’s Food Recovery program. Now the lead organizer in the program, Donna organizes the fresh produce and bakery items from our Food Recovery partners in addition to directing the volunteers daily. Donna holds a BS in Agriculture from the University of Illinois. Previously Donna has worked at the Chicago Board of Trade and Long Island Plastic Surgical Group. Donna has always been passionate about food and nutrition. The Food Recovery program gives her the perfect opportunity to influence our Pantry clients towards healthful food choices and better nutrition. Donna and her husband Andy enjoy spending time with their four children, travel and cycling. Donna works part-time at the Pantry.
Suzanne Wolf
Suzanne decided she wanted to help people through the pandemic in a meaningful way after being furloughed from her special events job at the YMCA. She had toured the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry with her Girl Scout troop and was very impressed with how friendly the staff was - And how organized the shelves were! So, when the opportunity arose, she knew it was the place she wanted to volunteer. After several months, she was asked to join the staff, and, in April 2021, she became the walk-in area guru and the birthday bag lady. Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in General Management from Purdue University, and her loves include her family and friends, traveling anywhere and everywhere, and reading the occasional romance novel. She works part-time at the pantry.
Michael Winters
Michael Winters started volunteering at the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in 2017 and later in 2020 was hired as a Pantry Assistant. He first came to the Pantry when helping a friend who was struggling and needed assistance, deciding he wanted to make a difference there. He helps keep the Pantry and donation rooms stocked and coordinates the volunteers sorting food donations. Michael graduated from Elmhurst College with a BS in Organizational Management. He spent his career primarily in banking and currently also holds a full-time job as a manager at a record and movie store. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and staying active. He is a musician who sings and plays guitar, writing his own music. Michael hosts a fan appreciation classic rock channel on You Tube, is a die-hard classic movie buff and enjoys reading. He works part-time at the Pantry.
Janet Bratta
Janet started as a volunteer at the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry in 2016. She gradually increased her hours volunteering from 1-2 days per month to 2 days per week. She got the nickname of “pantry floater” as she would fill in wherever needed on her volunteer days! She knew a little about everything. In September 2022, Janet officially joined the pantry team as a warehouse assistant on Tuesdays and Thursdays, keeping food recovery flowing from the gym to the pantry shelves. In addition to this work, Janet nannies part-time, and on the weekends, she looks forward to spending time with her 9- year-old granddaughter. Her motto has always been ‘she gets more than she gives’ when assisting those in need. Janet works part-time at the Pantry.
