Who We Are

The Hunger Network in Ohio is a faith-based nonprofit network that believes we can end hunger in Ohio by addressing the root causes of poverty through public policy advocacy.

Advocate. Educate. Network.

It's what we do.

What We Do

Motivated by faith, we work to end hunger in Ohio by networking with fellow advocates to engage public officials in creating policies that reduce poverty.

We Advocate:

Advocacy is simply talking to public officials about our priorities and solutions to problems in our community. The Hunger Network helps individuals, congregations, and others connect to their State Officials in Columbus or back in their respective districts to have these conversations. Contact us if you would like to be a part of A Day of Action in the future!

We Educate:

We provide resources – including lessons, speakers, and Bible Study materials - on poverty, hunger, and advocacy that can be used in your congregations or community groups.

We Network:

There are many people across Ohio concerned about hunger in our communities. We are stronger together. The Hunger Network seeks to connect people so that we can be more effective and efficient in our advocacy efforts to end hunger.

HNO’s 2024 Board of Directors

Rev. Terry Williams, Board Chair, He/him

Rev. Terry Williams is an Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ, currently serving as pastor of Orchard Hill UCC in Chillicothe. A native of southern Appalachian Ohio, he is active in ecumenical and social justice movements across the greater Ohio region that center the voices of marginalized persons in the determination of their own future. Interpreting the Bible with special attention to the ethical, moral, and social implications of a religious reading of scripture, Rev. Williams gives voice to religious values that honor both science and sacred text as important sources of moral authority. He is committed to uniting strong theological conviction with deep spiritual experiences in ways which transform, heal, and empower people to live meaningful lives for the benefit of God’s whole creation.

**Ariel Miller, Secretary** She/her
An award-winning journalist, Ariel Miller writes advocacy updates for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio and Faith Communities Go Green in Southwest Ohio. As Executive Director of the Episcopal Community Services Foundation, she partnered with interfaith groups and grassroots nonprofits to foster food and housing security. She helped launch the Ohio Benefit Bank with the National Council of Churches and persuaded NCC to partner with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks to implement OBB through OASF’s vast grassroots network. After retiring in 2013, she joined interfaith advocacy to expand Medicaid to working age adults and volunteered for seven years as a Certified Application Counselor helping people get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

**Pastor Leonard Killings, Vice Chair** He/him
Pastor Killings offers compassion while advocating for the basic needs that build a just and equitable society. Drawing from his humble upbringing in a riot torn urban community he uses his doctoral integration of theology, education, and behavioral sciences to address barriers that perpetuate inequality. He also serves as an ELCA Hunger Leader for the Northeast Ohio Synod.

**Deacon Jennifer Vasquez, D. Min.,** She/her
Jennifer is a Lutheran deacon called to serve as Minister of Connection and Engagement at Sylvania United Church of Christ. She coordinates educational programming, events, and public advocacy efforts at the church, particularly in the areas of racial justice, immigration, and mutifaith issues. She serves as a bridge between the church and the world and among various organizations, making connections and building relationships to do the common work of social justice.

**Sandy Wycoff, Treasurer,** She/her
Sandy is an Accountant by trade. She serves as the Board Treasurer, using her knowledge of accounting to provide information to the board for making decisions and keeps HNO in compliance with government reporting. She attends Summit on 16th, in Columbus, a progressive congregation in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church.

**Pastor Lawrence Novak,** He/him
Before I was called to ministry, I was an attorney with the Central Ohio Legal Aid Society for 10 years, then in private practice for 8 years. I have been the pastor at First Lutheran Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio since October of 2016. I currently chair the Logan County Continuum of Care on Housing and Homelessness, and I am a member of the Treatment and Recovery team CORE (Coalition for Ongoing Recovery Efforts). I also serve on the board of the Logan County Homeless Shelter.

**Calla Gilson,** She/her
Calla Gilson serves as the Director of Community Action and Global Engagement on the staff of Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwestern Ohio Synod (ELCA), where she loves dreaming with folks across 23 counties about what God is up to in their communities. Her work focuses primarily on accompanying parishes and leaders to identify the needs of their community and to align those needs with gifts and resources, with a focus on micro-community engagement and advocacy. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and is a YAGM Jerusalem and the West Bank alum.

**William Fenton-Jones,** He/him
Will serves as the Director of Multicultural Vitality for the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is passionate about Racial and Social Justice and churches being change agents in their communities to address critical needs and systems of oppression alongside ecumenical, political, private, and non-profit partners. Will plays guitar, is a LOTRs and Star Wars fan, and enjoys gaming with his wife who is a UCC pastor. Together they have 2 boys.

Staff

Deacon Nick Bates, J.D. Director He/him

Since 2004, Nick has worked in the non-profit advocacy and organizing sector on issues related to state budget and tax policy, immigration, voting rights, fair wages, multi-system youth, school funding and much more. Nick graduated from Capital Law School and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2012.

Nick serves as a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called to ministries of advocacy and social justice. He serves on various committees and boards within the faith community.

**Pastor Alexander Clemetson,** They/them
Alexander is an Afro-Eco Theologian focusing on the intersections of race, environment, theology, economy, food access, sexuality, and a great deal more. Within this framework, Alex organizes around environmental justice, Black food sovereignty, and community education locally and nationally. Alex is Executive Director of Together We Compost.

**Pastor Jeremy Hollingshead he/him**
Pastor Jeremy Hollingshead is Pastor of Marin Luther Lutheran Church in Youngstown Ohio. A lifelong gardener, Pastor Jeremy works in the Hope Community Garden and various other community organizations to address food insecurity in Youngstown. The Gospel and Pastor Jeremy's background, growing up in Appalachian Ohio, have instilled in him an intense desire to eradicate poverty, especially food insecurity.

Rev. Gregory Kendrick, He/him

Rev. Gregory E. Kendrick, Jr. serves as pastor of Cory UMC, Missional Strategist for the North Coast District of the UMC, and Executive Director of the Cory-Glenville Community Center. An Elder in full connection in the West Ohio Conference, he has served in various leadership capacities across both Ohio Conferences. Rev. Kendrick is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a proud parent to two children. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Denison University and a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.