Written by Jan Nigro, July 2026

I’m not exactly sure of the date I got involved with FDN. (Records show 2015!) I retired from teaching and wanted to do some volunteering. My friend, Kathy McLaren, was volunteering for FDN and told me about the organization. It sounded perfect and here I am 11 years later. I’m also on the board of the FDN. Karen Comstock, a board member and now the president, approached and asked if I would I be interested? I told her I didn’t think so since I’d never been on a board before. Karen suggested I come to a meeting and see what it was like. And here I am 8 years later. I’m told its different than other boards and this board is so delightful, productive and folks bring many varied skills to the table.

My family? I was born in Washington, D.C. as were my siblings but I grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. I came to Ithaca in 1971, and I got a job as a teacher for children with special needs, with Boces and then the Ithaca City School District. My totally amazing career lasted for over 35 years.

I grew up in a Jewish family. There were 4 children in my family. It was really busy; lots of kids, lots of friends and lots of pets……..and very loud. We weren’t a religious Jewish family. But we observed and gathered for the holidays. We shared meals with a huge extended family, traditional foods and lots of laughter. My mother said it isn’t a successful event unless everybody can take some food home. She would have loved FDN!!!

My volunteering, since I first became involved in FDN, was and still is on Friday mornings. I pick up food at the Ithaca Bakery on Meadow Street, and fill my car with bread. I bring it to the FDN facility and the incredible Friday team, sorts food from Wegmans, GreenStar, restaurants, bakeries and in the summer farmers plus many other sources. It goes into boxes for the several large programs that come and pick up their share.

We started this system during COVID, it didn’t feel comfortable to have a lot of people in the facility, so we would sort it out and then invite them in. When COVID ended, we realized, that was a much more sane and equitable way to get food to those folks.

I think the most memorable moments at FDN happen every time I go to do a pickup and my car is just filled top to bottom with food that at one time would have been thrown away. And then to realize that FDN volunteers are doing this everyday. FDN is one of the most remarkable organizations in which I’ve ever been involved. Watching the enormous amount of food that comes in every day to FDN and all these people who are just volunteering their time to make sure it gets to people that don’t have the resources is one of the most gratifying endeavors in which to be a part. I really have to give big kudos to Meaghan, FDN Coordinator for keeping all these balls in the air at one time. She’s an amazing person. Every single person I’ve ever worked with at FDN is just incredible. The more you find out about them, the more incredible they are. And here we all are working together with a common goal. I know FDN has been making our community a better place for 38 years and hope it’s here for many many more.

Outside of FDN? My greatest joy is being a grandma. Other things that bring me joy are riding my bike, being outdoors, hiking, biking, jumping in the lake and being with good friends and family.

Little known facts about me? I’m 78 years old. I’ve been studying karate for 37 years. I love to travel. My wife and I have traveled to many countries around the world; France, England, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, China, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Senegal, Ireland, Iceland and the Azores. I hope to keep traveling as long as I’m able. Due to my travels I never take for granted the food I eat, clean water, my home, heat in the winter, or the water that comes out of my wall when I take a shower. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to travel, meet people from different cultures and experience and respect lives different than their own. I think the world might be a more peaceful place.