Though Mary Heysek didn’t officially take over as the director of the United Food Bank of Plant City until Tuesday, Sept. 6, she’s been working behind the scenes for much longer.
Heysek, a Plant City native, joined the United Food Bank as a board member in 2011 and has served on the organization’s executive board since 2014. Prior to serving as the director, she owned her own companies, including co-owning MedStat Healthcare Services with her business partner, Joe Castagno.
“I’m new to the day to day,” Heysek said. “But I’m not new to the overall mission and overall strategic plan.”
At the Helm
On Friday, Aug. 26, Heysek was hired to take over for former director Christine Miller, who left to serve as the new president for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.
“Christine Miller will be a hard act to follow,” Heysek said. “She is extremely intelligent and high energy. She made a tremendous impact and left a fine blueprint for me to use as a guide. I’m looking forward to working with her jointly between the food bank and the chamber, and I’m most looking forward to fulfilling the mission of the food bank and helping our community. There’s a lot more people in need than we realize.”
George Banning, United Food Bank board chair, was pleased to see Heysek join the United Food Bank’s team in a title role.
“We are thrilled to have Mary come on board as the new director,” he said. “Her commitment to helping others and continuing the success of the United Food Bank made her the best choice.”
As the new director, Heysek’s immediate priority will be continuing to educate Plant City about the resources the food bank has to offer.
“I’m so excited about this,” Heysek said. “I just want to entrench myself into the local business community and educate everyone about the food bank. We will distribute over 1 million pounds of food this year in Plant City. That’s huge.”
Heysek first got involved with the United Food Bank after volunteering a few times with Feeding America. Since
then, she has watched the organization grow and expand its outreach.
“Every single week during the summer we gave out over 500 kid bags,” Heysek said. “We’re getting noticed by surrounding communities now. I plan to ingrain myself in the community and develop relationships with as many business leaders as possible.”
With her new job underway, Heysek is focusing on the United Food Bank’s next endeavors.
“I plan to focus on the upcoming annual events,” Heysek said. “(That includes) the Cracker Country Feast, Empty Bowls and Celebrity Chef. We will also be doing the regular food drives and the Turkey Drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
She’s also excited to be working alongside a team who is as passionate about the work as she is.
“The team is incredible,” Heysek said. “Lydia (Smith) and Phillip (Valeriani), they are very high-energy. They take care of things without being told. And Marketing Director Leigh Scott, if I think it, she’s already doing it. They don’t mess around. The mission of the food bank is really tattooed in this board. I’m really energized about it.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.