Nov 16, 2014 3 min read

We are sorry to see Jan Caldwell go.

For the last 14 years, Caldwell served as director of Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Waynesburg, and last Friday was her final day on the job. She planned to retire in early January, once the holiday food distribution rush settled down, and she would have stayed on longer to help her replacement ease in to the job.

Apparently, though, the board of directors of the food bank had other ideas. From what we understand, Caldwell was given a two-week notice the day after the food bank board met earlier this month.

We don’t know what motivated the board to take this action.

We would not be surprised, though, if the decision was based on personal differences rather than Caldwell’s job performance.

We say that for two reasons. First, John Jenkins, one of the board members, was quoted in the Observer-Reporter that “(Caldwell) did 14 years and they just jerked the carpet out from under her and sent her down the road … She made a good-faith effort by saying she was ready to retire but she would stay through the holidays and then help ease the transition for the next person.”

That sounds to us as if there were some serious personality conflicts.

And, secondly, over the years we have seen firsthand what Caldwell did with the food bank, oftentimes working without adequate funds to feed roughly 6,000 county residents during the winter months, when food is most needed.

Surprisingly, some of the board members attended a county commissioners’ meeting last week when Caldwell was presented with a certificate of recognition for her years of service to the food bank.

There were hugs of congratulations and well wishes, actions we now find to be shamelessly hypocritical.

Jenkins, by the way, did not attend that meeting and said he will not be returning to the board.

It is not uncommon for someone in Caldwell’s position to have supporters and detractors.

One such supporter, who deals with similar frustrations and joys, is Sister Audrey Quinn, director of the Greene County office of the Salvation Army.

She said of Caldwell, “I hope they get somebody in there who knows how to handle the records and the federal funding, who can find money out there and who gives their heart to the food bank because that was what Jan did.”

We believe Caldwell did a commendable job running the food bank.

She came on board at a time when the food bank was $75,000 in the red.

She worked with Community Bank to establish a line of credit, with a goal of eventually operating without one.

She said living on a line of credit is certainly not an ideal situation.

It took her seven years to get things stabilized, and she finally was able to operate during the lean times without it.

The food bank will undoubtedly continue to serve Greene County residents without Caldwell’s leadership.

We expect a new director to be named soon. The tasks awaiting that new director will be formidable and we wish that person success.

It’s just too bad, though, Caldwell won’t be around to help the new director get off to a good start.