As CROSS Services kicks off a new fiscal year, Executive Director Chad Lanners sat down with the organization’s newly appointed Board Chair, Jeff Wehling, to discuss what’s ahead. With fresh leadership, a growing board, and a renewed focus on serving more families, Jeff shares his vision, challenges, and hopes for the future of CROSS Services.
“I’m fired up that Jeff is our new board chair,” Chad said. “We’ve got big things coming in 2025 and 2026, and with his leadership, we’re going to make a real impact—helping families navigate poverty and giving them hope for a better future.”
From Volunteer to Board Chair: A Journey of Commitment
Jeff’s journey with CROSS Services began during the tail end of COVID when he felt the need to give back.
“I just felt a need to plug in and be part of something larger,” he recalled. After attending an orientation with Pat Schwalbe, Chief of Operations, he was immediately drawn in by her passion.
“I said, ‘I’m in—just take me now,’” Jeff laughed, remembering how quickly he committed.
Since then, he’s worn many hats—from volunteer lead on Tuesday nights to board member—now stepping into the board chair role.
Opportunities in the Year Ahead
Jeff is optimistic about the road ahead, seeing immense potential for growth.
“The word I use all the time is opportunity,” he emphasized. “There is so much that already exists, but there’s so much more yet to be had.”
With a larger, more engaged board—including approximately half new members—Jeff is excited about the fresh energy they bring.
“They’re convicted and passionate about our mission. They’ve got all sorts of ideas and interests and are just ready to roll up their sleeves,” he shared.
Rising Demand, Resourceful Response
With foot traffic increasing by 25-30% year over year, CROSS is serving more people than ever—without additional staff.
“We’re doing more with the same, which basically translates to less,” Jeff explained.
To keep up with demand, CROSS is exploring creative operational changes, such as adjusting hours or offering pre-packed boxes during peak times.
“We’ll never turn people away,” Jeff affirmed. “But we might have to shift from the dignity shopping model at times and provide pre-packed food boxes—just to make sure people aren’t waiting for extremely long periods.”
Volunteers: The Heart of CROSS Services
Jeff praised the volunteers, calling them “a huge component of the workforce.”
“We’ve got multiple hundreds of people—some coming in multiple times a week, some for multiple hours. Some have been with us for years—staples of the organization,” he shared.
He reflected on the camaraderie among Tuesday night volunteers.
“Everybody knew everybody’s name. People had their stations, but they’d hop over to help when another area got busy. It’s that whole ‘chip in and go where you’re needed’ spirit—it’s inspiring to see,” he said.
Staying Focused to Grow
As board chair, Jeff’s vision is clear:
“We need to focus to grow,” he stated. “We pick those critical few things—food security, financial assistance, the thrift shop, and children’s programming. That’s our core.”
Rather than expanding in every direction, Jeff believes CROSS should scale and master its strengths before venturing into new areas.
“We need to focus to grow,” he stated. “We pick those critical few things—food security, financial assistance, the thrift shop, and children’s programming. That’s our core.”
The Power of Partnerships
Jeff is particularly excited about the newly launched annual sponsorship program, calling it a “game-changer.”
“This was something that was just missing for the longest time,” he said. “It’s a natural opportunity to build mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses—offering them visibility and engagement while helping us grow our impact.”
“It can’t just be CROSS showing up and saying, ‘Hi, we could use some money.’ What’s the hook? What are they getting out of it?” he asked.
He stressed the importance of making partnerships mutually valuable.
Jeff believes the key is offering sponsors meaningful opportunities, such as employee volunteer days or vendor partnerships, creating a two-way relationship.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
As CROSS Services enters the new fiscal year, Jeff is energized by the momentum and potential.
“I want CROSS to be the gold standard for addressing food insecurity—an organization others look to and say, ‘How do we be like you?’” he said.
Chad closed the conversation by sharing his excitement for the future:
“I know with Jeff’s leadership, we’re going to make a real difference,” Chad said. “When we feed families and nourish kids, good things happen—kids do better in school, parents feel hope, and communities grow stronger. I’m excited to partner with Jeff and the board to make it happen.”
With Jeff’s leadership, a committed board, and a passionate staff and volunteer base, CROSS Services is poised for a year of impact, innovation, and growth.
Stay tuned for more conversations with Chad as we highlight the people, passion, and impact driving CROSS Services forward.
