Ellen Simpson, who had served as the director for the FISH Food Pantry in Montgomery County since 2020, has announced her decision to step down from the role earlier this week. She will transition into an inaugural role as a Rural Housing Retention Coordinator for Lafayette Transitional Housing Center (LTHC). The organization commits itself to help community members find stable housing in Tippecanoe County. It plans to expand its mission to other areas in west central Indiana, including Montgomery County.
“They have decided to put in a remote office in the United Way building,” Simpson said. “I will help the unhoused try to transition into housing. There are already 40 cases that I will start with in Montgomery and the surrounding counties.”
Simpson began her career with the FISH Food Pantry 15 years ago, where she started as a volunteer before working her way up to being its director.
“I will miss the relationships I built with the volunteers and the members that came in,” Simpson said. “I never would’ve dreamed the growth FISH has gone through over the years. There’s so much that I enjoyed doing.”
She said that she’ll continue small volunteer work with FISH after stepping down. Her last day was on Friday, July 17. She will begin her new role on Monday, July 20.
“I still have the energy; I still have some years,” Simpson explained. “I’m looking forward to do what I did with FISH and continue that with LTHC.”
WCDQ had the chance to talk with Simpson about her time with the FISH Food Pantry, as well as her new role with LTHC. Listen to the full interview below.
To learn more about Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, click or tap here.