The nourishment of body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others.
Shannon Hardwicke, PhD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As a native of Radford, Virginia, Shannon brings a deep understanding of the importance of food and nutrition to her role as Executive Director of Plenty! With a background in health and wellness, nutrition, and health promotion, Shannon is passionate about addressing food insecurity and its impact on individuals and communities.
Shannon’s educational journey includes an undergraduate B.S and Master’s degree in health and wellness from Radford University and a Doctorate in Health Promotion from Virginia Tech. She is also a certified yoga teacher and enjoys teaching yoga in her free time.
Shannon is a mother of three children, Parker, Sydney, and Maddie, and a furry feline friend, Rosie. She loves hiking and the outdoors, and has been section-hiking the Appalachian Trail with her husband Greg for the past five years.
With her warm and compassionate approach, Shannon is excited to lead Plenty! in its mission to nourish and empower the community.
Jennifer Evans
PANTRY OPERATIONS LEAD
Jennifer Evans has been with Plenty! for about 21/2 years in the position of Pantry Operations Lead. Jenn was born and raised in Indiana, she also called New Mexico and Hawaii home before moving to Floyd five years ago.
As a lifelong learner, Jenn pursued various educational paths, including a degree in Business Management from Indiana State University, Teacher Certification from the University of New Mexico, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Northern New Mexico Community College. She has also completed numerous certificate programs in Permaculture, Regenerative Agriculture, and Medicinal Herbs.
Jenn shared, “Plenty! resonated with me because it combines my passions for service, community, agriculture, and food. Plus, it keeps me active!. My favorite aspect is the incredible people, community, and friendships I’ve formed. I feel grateful to be an integral part of the Floyd community, thanks to Plenty! and I am grateful to have a Village!”
Jenn also shared, “My journey in the food insecurity field began on a farm in Hawaii (an island where if the food isn’t GROWN there, it’s shipped in over 2,500 miles) where I realized the importance of food sovereignty. With 40% of grown food being wasted, I believe it’s unacceptable for anyone to worry about having enough to eat. I believe having access to adequate, nutritious food is a basic human right and with the amount of good food that is available and wasted in our society, absolutely no one should be facing food insecurity. We all have much more important things to put our precious life energy into! It’s an honor to be part of the solution here at Plenty, working towards a future where everyone has access to nutritious food.”
Alix Mallard
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Alix Mallard was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and later attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. After relocating to Floyd, Alix sought opportunities to contribute to the community and was introduced to Plenty! by her builder, Matt Sebas. She was drawn to the organization’s mission and has been an integral part of the team for the past year.
Alix has been involved in various projects at Plenty!, including produce and dairy pickups from Food Lion, setting up the fridge at the library, and unloading donations of corn and apples.
Her favorite aspect of working at Plenty! is the sense of being part of a solution to food insecurity, a cause she became passionate about during her time as a single parent and student. Through her experiences, she has come to understand the prevalence of food insecurity in Floyd County and is dedicated to making a positive impact in her community.
Adrienne Bunn
DELIVERY & GROUP COORDINATOR
Adrienne, having lived in various parts of the US and abroad, Adrienne says, “I’ve enjoyed having the beautiful southern mountains of Virginia as my home”.
While studying Mathematics at Loyola University New Orleans, Adrienne sold cheese in the bustling food scene in the city.
Adrienne seized the chance to join Plenty! She’s proud to be part of a team that’s helps our community reduce food waste and ensures equitable access to healthy food.
When asked, what she likes most about Plenty! Adrienne said, “After 8 months at Plenty!, my favorite part has been collecting and distributing fresh produce to our community”.
Karen Cochran
VOLUNTEER & PANTRY COORDINATOR
Karen Cochran, Plenty! Volunteer and Pantry Coordinator is originally from suburban Pennsylvania, just 30 miles from Philadelphia. Karen’s always had a passion for food and community.
She pursued her education at Penn State, earning a BA in History, and later at Shippensburg University, she received a BS in Geography. Karen’s journey in the food industry began in 2012, working at an orchard, followed by stints at various farms and a 4-acre homestead with fruit trees and chickens. She’s also worked in the restaurant industry and organic food production.
When asked, What drew you to Plenty!? she answered, “The opportunity to work with food in a non-profit setting, focusing on helping those in need rather than generating revenue. I believe food is a gift from the earth and should be shared, not commodified. With 8 months under my belt at Plenty!, I’ve enjoyed meeting incredible people and working on our farm, surrounded by nature and the soothing creek. My desire to work in food insecurity stems from a desire to give back and dedicate my time and energy to helping others. I’m grateful to be part of the Plenty! family, working towards a future where everyone has access to nutritious food and a sense of community.”
Sean Dougherty
FARMER
Sean Dougherty recently joined the Plenty! staff in the position of farmer. Sean’s lived all over, but New Jersey is where he calls home.
Instead of traditional college, Sean says, “I earned a degree from the School of Hard Knocks, where I mastered the art of awesomeness@.
Sean’s passion for growing food and helping those in need led him to Plenty! Sean finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of an organization that provides food for those who need it most.
When asked, what do you love most about working at Plenty! He answered, “The supportive and appreciative community. It’s a joy to come to work every day knowing that I’m making a difference alongside like-minded individuals. My personal experience with food insecurity has driven my desire to work in this field. I’ve faced food insecurity several times in my life, and I wish I had access to a resource like Plenty! back then. Now, I’m proud to be part of the solution, helping to bring fresh, healthy food to those in need”.