New Hope Food Box Program Launches in Montpelier

Community & Family Services newest program to fight food insecurity, "Hope Food Box" delivery program launched for Montpelier residents on Wednesday, November 8. Each month food insecure residents in Montpelier can sign up for a box packed with food essentials, frozen meat, and household care items such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies. More than 40 households registered for the first month's delivery.

Participating households received a menu of items to choose from and were able to pick up their boxes at the Nazarene Church thanks to a partnership with Pastor Jesse and his congregation.

Homebound households and those lacking transportation will receive a home delivery next week.

The next Hope Food Box distribution is scheduled for December 12-14. To learn more about the program and how you can register, contact Betty Blakley, blakely@comfam.org.

Community & Family Services, Inc. Appoints Elizabeth Darby as New Executive Director

The Community & Family Services, Inc. Board of Directors has named Elizabeth Darby the new Executive Director of Community & Family Services.

Darby’s background in family and social services, combined with a deep passion for building effective programs to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, will help to further advance the missi

on of the organization that serves more than 6,000 households across Adams, Blackford, Huntington, Jay, Randolph, and Wells counties. “We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth as our new Executive Director,” says Eron Ferrell, Community & Family Services Board of Directors President. “She will bring experience, enthusiasm, and renewed vision to our organization. We feel very lucky to have found her and look forward to a bright and successful future with her at the helm.”

When Darby assumes the r

ole November 1, she will manage all day-to-day operations for Community & Family Services, known for its community programs such as the Energy Assistance Program, WIC, and the Food Pantry. Darby will also lead fundraising programs, as well as marketing and community engagement initiatives.

“Community and Family Services is a vital resource to so many families during difficult times. It’s an honor and privilege to join the organization and this wonderful team. In addition, my grandmother was born and raised in Hartford City, so it is extra special to serve this community that means so much to me and my family.”, says Darby.

Darby currently served as Senior Director of Operations for THRIVEfunds, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a results-drive

n social service executive with twenty-five years of experience managing public/private partnerships that improve outcomes for communities and families. Darby began her career as an employment specialist, working at local job centers in Illinois and Wisconsin. After relocating to Indiana, she held multiple state-level positions at the Indiana Departments of Family and Social Services, Child Services, and Workforce Development. In addition, she held program director roles at the Indiana Youth Institute, Playworks Education Energized, and most recently served as the Senior Director of Operations for TH

RIVEfunds. She has a deep understanding of public assistance programs and is passionate about supporting families in their time of need. Throughout her career, Darby earned numerous performance awards and accolades for her work in community engagement, youth development, and Medicaid operations. She is a highly regarded speaker and has presented workshops at the state and national levels on program evaluations, college and career pathways, grant management, and corporate partnerships.

Darby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College, where she majored in political science and interned with US Congressman David Minge. She later earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and her Master of Public Affairs from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. Her formal education included grant administration, fundraising, non-profit management, and program design coursework. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Drew. In her free time, you'll either find her on a golf course or in the kitchen making treats for her home bakery.

Darby will guide overall direction and strategy, engage with external partners; strengthen the financial health and operations of the organization with the board and leadership team; develop relationships across private, public, and non-profit sectors to advance Community & Family Services’ mission, vision, and program strategy; and energize and engage staff to maximize services provided to individuals and families served.