Welcome to our ‘Meet the Team’ series, where we’ll be introducing the Move For Hunger Staff 1 blog and 9 questions at a time. We hope you enjoy getting to know our team members as much as we enjoy working with them!
For June, we’re introducing our Program Director, Stephanie De La Hoz! She’s been with Move For Hunger since January 2022, and comes from a nonprofit background that focuses on hunger relief!
What do you do at Move For Hunger?
“I’m the Program Director and I oversee our Mover, Multifamily, Events, and Fresh Food programs, which cover everything from initiating and
Why did you join Move For Hunger?
“Over the years I’ve really grown a heart for hunger and poverty alleviation. I continue to be inspired by Move For Hunger’s mission and I love that we find sustainable solutions to feed people in our local communities.”
What do you like about working at Move For Hunger?
“One thing I really enjoy about working here is helping engage people in volunteering, service, and giving back through our programs. They may seem like small actions on an individual level, but if we all give a little bit of our time and energy, we can make a huge impact if we work together. As an employee, I enjoy being surrounded with like-minded people who are working each day to make the world a better place and get other people excited about doing the same.”
What’s something you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?
“There are a lot of exciting initiatives at Move For Hunger focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, both internally and externally. I love celebrating diversity internally as an organization because I believe diversity gives us strength. Also, it’s important in our work to always be aware of external factors that lead to hunger and poverty to help us better understand what we can do to support those in need.”
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
“I’ve worked with some amazing nonprofit leaders throughout the years, and one previous supervisor stands out in my mind that taught me to lead with humility, never take things personally, and treat everyone with kindness and grace. We never know what other people are going through, and we all can thrive if we’re in a supportive environment.”
“Mangoes! Growing up as a Filipino-American living in Florida, there were always a ton of mangoes in my house. They’re the best over the summer when they’re extra sweet, but I love eating them year-round.”
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?
“During my Peace Corps service in Colombia, one of the staff members and I were having a conversation about chasing big goals, dreams, and plans that didn’t make sense to people on the outside and how to deal with doubt. She told me to trust my instinct and remember this Navajo saying: “salta, ya aparecerá el piso” (jump, soon the floor will appear”).”
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I was really into dancing and musical theater when I was younger and I had big dreams of being on stage as an adult. I still love to dance in my free time, but I truly enjoy the work that I currently do and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Favorite Movie?
“It’s hard to pick just one but Dirty Dancing is one I could watch over and over again.”
Make sure to tune back in monthly to meet a new staff member, and follow our social channels (we’re on all of them @moveforhunger) to stay up to date on hunger news and the impact our network is making!
