MEET PUBLIC SERVANT LISA VAUGHAN

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When Covid-19 impacted Evansville, Indiana in mid-March, Lisa Vaughan and City Councilman Alex Burton started a grassroots effort to ensure the Tri-State had food access during the Covid-19 Government Shut down. The effort was so successful it led to the Mayor of Evansville deeming the Feed Evansville Group the official government Food Security task force of the area and named Lisa and Alex the co-chairs. These efforts also shined a light that Food Security is an issue within the area and the Mayor officially announced that work will need to be ongoing after the pandemic is over.   

Feed Evansville organized a communication hub and tracked what every organization was doing (both Businesses and Non-profit). The task force created and shared a weekly food access flyer so community members would know where to receive services and published grocery & restaurant hours through social media, TV, radio, and emailed organizations to spread the word.  All services have been provided through fundraising and in-kind donations.  

THINGS THAT LISA HAVE ACHIEVED SINCE SHES BEEN HELPING FEED THE HUNGRY OF OUR COMMUNITY: 

 • Developed a pop-up grocery store that delivered groceries to those in need or having health concerns. • Assisted community members that have low income and circumstances that prevent them grocery store access to receive delivered grocery boxes and worked with the federal government to be able to accept SNAP and Credit Cards for that delivery service.  March through the end of August. 

• Delivered an average of 100 pantry boxes weekly and will continue through the end of August. 

• Spoke with both Senators, our Congressman, and our Governor’s office about food access needs in our community.

• Created a survey to better understand the needs of all organizations as we re-enter.

• Developed a recovery and restoration plan for food service that will take the city through the end of August and developed a summer feed plan for children to assist with the gap of not having summer programs.  

• Developed a marketing plan so community members that have never had to receive services before Covid-19 and were laid off for two months would understand the resources that are available to them.    • Created a survey to better understand the needs of community members and neighborhoods as the Tri-State reenters from shut down 

 • Outlined the need for Food Coalition that will support the Food Security efforts and assure the ongoing work. 

 • Worked with State Government and advocated for a more efficient SNAP application process and food programming for community members.  

• Educated the public on sensitive language and the common ground that all community members have with Food Security as well as explain what food security is and is not.  

• Worked with community partners and nonprofits to ensure the grocery delivery system is continued after the pandemic and that families in need can enter a food co-op and gain insight on food nutrition budgeting and other resources to ensure stability. 

  • Feed Evansville Task Force has secured the Farm to Families program for the Evansville area. Evansville will start to receive 3,000 Diary Boxes and 3,000 Produce Boxes each week till the end of August. The boxes will be distributed to nonprofit agencies who will in return hand boxes out to their clients and guest as well as individual families through a truck to trunk event weekly.

Thank our community partners for assisting with this program Evansville Cold Storage, Old National Event Plaza, and CRS One Source.

Lisa Vaughan Bio 

Lisa Vaughan moved to Evansville, Indiana with her husband Dr. Jason Vaughan in 2016. She has studied Music Education and Pastoral Counseling. She is a 14-year active member and Past President of the Junior League of Evansville.  She is the current Placement Chair and has chaired several JLE committees. Lisa has presented workshops at the Association of Junior League International conferences as well as at Junior League regional meetings. She currently serves the Association of Junior League International as a Volunteer Serves Specialist and the SLBI Coordinator.  Lisa is a Register Parliamentarian and member of the National Association of Parliamentarian

She also consults with non-profits to provide training and fund development planning. Lisa has been involved with 26 non-profits in the Evansville area through Board of Director’s positions, committee work, and special projects. Some examples include the YWCA, Reitz Home, the American Heart Association “Go Red Luncheon”, the United Methodist Women Mission Week, the Evansville Museum Contemporaries, Wesselman Nature Center, Funk in the City, and Rockin 4 Robin just to name a few. Lisa is the founder of the Broken Homes Mended Hearts foundation. An organization that provides funds and support to organizations that assist families and children who are going through a divorce or broken home situation. 

Lisa says “I have experienced situations throughout my life where I witnessed a lack of support to others in need. Joining the Junior League of Evansville in 2007 provided me with skills and training to be a civic leader so I could advocate, execute and market an event. It taught me to network and collaborate as well as taught me about being committed to community impact”. When Lisa is not volunteering, she enjoys music, dancing, baking and spending time with her two children Nathan (11) and Rebecca (6). 

 

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