By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. —The Claremont Soup Kitchen has a new executive director, as Angela Bark came on board this week, bringing a wide range of experience in helping her fellow neighbor.
Bark started in the position on Jan. 27, taking over for the position left vacant when Cindy Stevens stepped down last month. It was a quick transition for Bark, who interviewed with the Claremont Soup Kitchen Board of Directors and leadership team on Jan. 24 and quickly started the new role.
“I have been meeting staff members and volunteers, and just watching the day-to-day operation,” Bark said. “I am very new to this, but I am diving in headfirst.”
She spent her first week in training, getting herself acquainted with the position, what it entails and what her vision is for the future. Bark acknowledged that Stevens left a solid framework, and she doesn’t want to make any major changes before conferring with the staff and volunteers that have been working so hard to serve those in need of a meal in the Claremont community.
“I want to follow the set standards that are currently working,” she said. “My 30-day plan is to get up to speed by meeting the staff and volunteers, and in a few weeks, I’ll have a staff meeting to introduce myself and give my background. We’ll discuss what is working, what’s not working, and any improvements they want to see.”
Bark added, “As Cindy put it, we have a ‘well-oiled machine,’ and that is awesome.”
Bark has been able to introduce herself to some of the guests who utilize the soup kitchen, but she is looking forward to the time moving forward where she can really get to know them.
For 10 years, Bark worked at the Student Conservation Association in Charlestown where she was the field services director managing about 4,000 interns across the nation. She managed their housing, food, uniforms and “just about everything you can imagine.”
Bark has background in the food industry, working at restaurants for about a dozen years waitressing, bartending and serving.
Bark has also volunteered at the Charlestown Soup Kitchen and also went to New York City where her late mother-in-law resided to help in soup kitchens. She explained that her mother-in-law was involved in soup kitchens all across the city, and all she talked about was how happy she was to help people in need. Bark said it was always a rewarding feeling to hear about how much she was making a difference. She said since she has passed, her family is making an effort to volunteer in soup kitchens or something to help the community in her honor.
“Last year my entire family went to a food pantry in upstate New York, and it was just wonderful to be able to help,” Bark said.
By taking this position, Bark said it is like another way to honor her for the inspiration she passed onto her.
“I really enjoy helping people in the community, and as we all know, food is a good part o everyday life and is my calling,” Bark said. “I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
