By Gery Deer

The Greene County FISH Pantry, now located at 774 Cincinnati Ave., began in 1976 at Christ Episcopal Church in Xenia in response to the community’s needs following the devastating F5 tornado two years earlier.

As the nonprofit celebrates its golden anniversary, it is beginning its next chapter under a new name and branding intended to clarify its purpose. The organization is retiring the longstanding FISH (Friends in Service of Humanity) name and will now operate as Greene County Food Pantry.

Although a new logo may be the most visible change, the transition goes beyond branding. The nonprofit has officially adopted Greene County Food Pantry as its legal corporate name in its Articles of Incorporation and other official 501(c)(3) records.

Rick Robertson is the pantry’s new executive director, having assumed leadership earlier this year after serving as vice chair of its Board of Directors. Robertson said the rebranding reflects what the organization has become and the community it serves.

“Our pantry serves all of Greene County, and we felt it was time to have our name and branding more closely reflect our mission,” he said.

Robertson brings nearly four decades of leadership experience spanning banking, global profitability consulting and entrepreneurship. His background in operations, compliance and financial management positions him to guide the pantry’s next phase while building on his experience as a member of the organization’s board.

The organization is also continuing equipment upgrades begun under the leadership of former Executive Director Gail Matson. The improvements are part of a broader effort to improve how food is received, stored, and distributed to people throughout Greene County.

These milestones also provide an opportunity to recognize the volunteers, donors, and community partners who sustained the pantry for five decades, and they offer a natural point to consider what will be required in the years ahead.

Today, the pantry serves more than 30,000 people annually. Handling food assistance on that scale requires receiving and inspecting products, maintaining proper storage conditions, tracking inventory, meeting food safety requirements and coordinating staff and volunteers. The goal is to create a smoother workflow from the moment a donation arrives until food is placed into the hands of someone who needs it.

Many improvements may not be immediately visible to the public, but they are essential to the pantry’s daily work. Better equipment and more consistent procedures can improve food safety, reduce unnecessary delays and help volunteers manage increasing demand more effectively. The updates are also intended to better prepare the pantry for the future as families continue to face rising grocery costs and other financial pressures.

Regardless of new branding and operational changes, the organization’s central purpose remains unchanged. It continues to provide food assistance to Greene County residents while relying heavily on community generosity. Every donation, volunteer shift and financial contribution helps the pantry serve thousands of local people each year. The organization recently received a four-star rating on “Charity Navigator,” and a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest-rated level of credibility for a nonprofit on Candid (formerly GuideStar). The rating shows donors that an organization is outcome-driven and publicly shares its goals, strategies, and measurable, year-over-year impact metrics.

The organization’s anniversary is not only a celebration of longevity. It is a recognition of generations of Greene County residents who have helped keep the pantry stocked, staffed and available to their neighbors. With each change, the organization is working to secure its future while continuing to combat food insecurity for the next 50 years. For more information on how you can help the Greene County Food Pantry, contact Executive Director Rick Robertson by calling 937-372-8441 or emailing gcfp@gcfp.org.