Norwescap’s new Senior Director of Food Security & Health Equity knows all too well about the challenges many families face when they are in need of food. 

Scott Savokinas literally “lived the experience” during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 when both he and his wife were laid off for extended periods of time. They found themselves in a position where they needed the services of their local food pantry in order to make ends meet for the two of them and their two children. 

“My wife and I Iost our jobs within six months of each other and were unemployed for two years,” said Savokinas, who lives in Hackettstown. “During this time we were receiving SNAP benefits but we also had two young children and that wasn’t enough to put food on the table for the four of us.”

Savokinas was somewhat reluctant to visit the Lord’s Pantry at Trinity Methodist Church in Hackettstown. It was tough, but he did it.

“I’ll never forget the very first time I pulled into the parking lot of the pantry,” he recalled. “I had my hand on the car door and thought, ‘this is very embarrassing.’ Then I realized how grateful I should be that my church provides this resource for people who are in situations such as mine.”

Once he walked through the door, Savokinas also had a hope for the future.  

He remembered, “As I walked into the pantry I hoped that one day I would be able to give back and help others, the way the pantry was helping me in my time of need.” 

Fast-forward a few years later and the pantry was in need of a new Executive Director. Savokinas was offered the position and accepted without hesitation. 

In the four years that he was the director there he directly and indirectly had the opportunity to work with Norwescap, partnering on several key initiatives including “Growing Healthy Pantries” and the Phillipsburg Fresh Stop Market, both of which are geared at providing fresh, nutritious local produce to the community.

So when the Norwescap job opening came up, Savokinas applied and soon after, was hired. 

In this position he oversees all food security and health related programs for Norwescap, including major established programs like the Norwescap Foodbank; Norwescap’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program; Norwescap’s Cancer Education & Early Detection (CEED) program; Norwescap’s SNAP Navigators program and Norwescap’s ‘Phillipsburg Fresh Stop Market’.  

“Scott has a unique set of skills and experiences that makes him an exceptional candidate to fill this role,” said Mark Valli, CEO of Norwescap, which serves people from throughout Northwest New Jersey. “First of all Scott’s position as the Executive Director of the Lord’s Pantry brings us someone with direct experience as a food pantry leader.”

Moreover, Valli noted that Savokinas was already familiar with many of Norwescap’s programs, adding that the Lord’s Pantry is one of the largest and most advanced pantries, participating in several innovative initiatives such as moving to a full “choice” model which allows pantry visitors to “shop” for their items rather than be handed a bag of goods; a farm-to-pantry model in which Norwescap works with emerging farmers to deliver fresh produce directly to pantries; the Growing Health Pantries initiative which encourages healthy choices for pantry visitors; and its “Community Hub” model in which pantry visitors can be directly connected to other social services while visiting the pantry.

“I am very passionate about the growing healthy pantries initiative,” said Savokinas, “which is meant to increase fresh produce and enhancing the nutritional quality of the pantries. And that includes the Phillipsburg Fresh Stop Market, a community space with a mission of providing fresh, affordable food access to all. Proud to offer much of that through our partner farms.”

Prior to his pantry experience Scott worked in the corporate sector with Williams and Sonoma and Bed, Bath & Beyond where he was able to roll out special initiatives across the national retail chains, which is relevant to Norwescap’s efforts to roll out innovative initiatives across its 80+ food pantry network. 

“While donations are always appreciated, the supply of food is there,” said Savokinas. “The challenge is getting food to those who need it the most – nutritious, culturally-appropriate food. We also need to take a more ‘wholistic’ approach when providing healthy solutions to our communities such as mental, emotional and physical solutions. By providing complete, wrap-around services we can offer customized solutions to our communities.”

For more information about Norwescap and its varied programs, call 908-454-7000 or visit its website, NORWESCAP.ORG.

“We are here to help,” said Savokinas. “Whether it’s food you need or something else. Reach out and allow us to help create pathways so that you can achieve your hopes and dreams.”