Ric Hardin, a retired 36-year employee for Staples as a major account manager, is tackling a new role during Tackle Hunger Month, which is a precursor to the delivery of Christmas boxes. But those aren’t the only projects ongoing.

“It’s a lot more challenging than you would think it would be,” Hardin said. “Right now, especially with so many things going on, we have the Christmas boxes going out, we have the Deer Project starting, we have the Food for Thought which is a backpack program for kids in school. There’s a lot of moving pieces, plus we have the mobile food pantry. Over the next two weeks people will be coming and picking up those boxes and taking them to communities in the county to distribute to people who need them.”

Hardin replaced Terry Chumbley earlier this year who, with his family, returned to Europe to work with Share Education Services, a ministry that assists with missionary families around the world dealing with their children and their educational needs. Hardin was approached about the position by a neighbor with ties to GSM.

“I retired from Staples a couple of years ago and we moved back to Brownwood. my wife is from here, and I was mowing my grass and Robert Harmon, who works here, came across and said we need a warehouse manager, are you interested,” Hardin said. “I came and talked to (GSM Executive Director) Leesa (Stephens) and volunteered a couple of times and here I am.”

Regarding the most rewarding as aspect of his new line of work, Hardin said, “The thing that astounds me is that all of this goes to make sure the people who need extra help with food in Brown County, get what they need. I have very little contact with the front end of the organization, my purpose and the purpose of my guys is to bring the food in and make sure the pantry is stocked. Without this end of the organization, the whole thing wouldn’t work. For me it’s a pivotal role because I believe that I’m making a difference.”