Judy Henley helped Deanna Kester get a place to live and furnished it for her.
For the past 10 years, Henley has assisted Kester, a single mother, in providing her three children with food, Christmas gifts, paying the bills and moral support.
So when Kester recently learned that Henley is retiring as the Christian Services Coordinator at St. Anne Church and Ortonville Community Emergency Fund Food Pantry Director, she cried.
‘I consider her family,? said Kester. ‘She’s just someone you can always count on. She has a really big heart and just wants to help the world… I hate to see her go.?
Henley announced last week that she will retire in June after a total of about 13 years of serving St. Anne and OCEF.
‘I’m a people person and I’ve enjoyed this job,? said Henley, 59. ‘I’ve met so many people I would not have met otherwise and you see how resilient people are and how, even when they are struggling and barely holding on, how they help others.?
The Groveland Township resident was already a member of St. Anne Church when she applied for the Christian Services Coordinator position in the mid-?90s, because of her interest in social justice and a desire to help her neighbors. Henley has overseen the distribution of funds from the Care and Share Fund, used to help residents living within the Brandon School District boundaries who are facing eviction, shut-off of utilities, or trouble buying prescriptions. She coordinates funeral luncheons and works with the Christian Services Commission to promote Catholic social teachings, making people aware of the needs of others and advancing the idea of living more simply and more in harmony with the earth.
Last year, she helped promote the Lenten Food Challenge, encouraging participants to budget for themselves what a family similar to theirs in size would receive in food stamps, so they could understand how difficult it is for low-income families to subsist on what they are given in government aid. But Henley may be best known in the community for her service as the OCEF food pantry director? registering clients, keeping their paperwork in order, giving them vouchers for monthly visits to the food pantry or gift certificates to Bueche’s or Cook’s Farm Dairy, and just keeping up-to-date on what is going on in their lives.
‘Because we’re faith-based, we believe the work we do makes God’s love present to people,? Henley said. ‘When you’re in a stressful situation, this is like neutral territory. No one is judging you.?
The stories of lost jobs and people struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads are sad and they stay with her, but Henley has come to the realization that while she can’t fix everything, she is fortunate to be part of an organization that does all it can to help those in need in a community that is so willing to give. Some of the people who volunteer their time to OCEF are also the ones being assisted.
‘Ortonville is the best community,? said Henley. ‘All the OCEF volunteers are amazing, the local businesses, the schools, the staff, the parents? the amount they have donated is incredible. They make my job easy and fun.?
The biggest challenge Henley has faced during her years as OCEF food pantry director is the vast increase in numbers of people seeking help. In 1994, 10 families per month visited the pantry. In 1999, it was still a fairly low number, just 15 families. Now, she see that number visit the pantry in just one day. In early 2009, OCEF went from having 75 families visiting the food pantry per month to 125 families.
The pantry is open Tuesday and Friday mornings, but families are allowed only one visit per month. They typically receive enough food to feed their family for seven days and they also receive a voucher that they can take to Cook’s Farm Dairy for two gallons of milk, as well as a gift certificate to Bueche’s Food World for perishables not available at the food pantry.
While 125 families visit the pantry regularly throughout the year, the number increases for the Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions, when clients can receive not only food, but gifts.
Henley said everyone involved in OCEF has stepped up to meet the challenge, but her fellow OCEF workers and volunteers say they were able to do it because she led the way.
‘She knows the needs of the community and she has molded the process so we can grow,? said OCEF Treasurer Margaret Lee. ‘Talk about a shepherd? she is a real guide.?
OCEF Volunteer Suzy Fluck said her daughter Heidi wanted to help the organization at a young age and Henley nurtured her desire to give back to the community.
‘She’s really a peach,? said Suzy Fluck about Henley. ‘It’s an old-fashioned term, but it applies to her. She has a heart of gold and really cares about people. She’s a good mentor and has been inspirational.?
OCEF President Karyn Milligan said when Henley smiles, it’s impossible to say no to her.
‘She has itty bitty feet, but big shoes to fill,? Milligan said. ‘As hard as it will be not having her here, she will have more time to spend with her hubby and grandbaby. It’s a bittersweet happiness for her.?
Henley is married to Bob and they have two children, Josh and Sarah. Bob and Judy also have a granddaughter, Madelyn Grace, 18-months-old, whom Judy said she will be spending more time with in her retirement, as well as traveling and trying new things.
‘My retirement is a life change and not a reflection on the job,? Henley said. ‘People want to share a part of their lives with you, and that has certainly been a blessing. I will miss all the people.?