Lunch Break, a food pantry and social service organization based in Red Bank, has announced its new Board of Trustees members for 2020-21.
The appointments became effective on Sept. 16, according to a press release.
The board’s retiring members were President John Klein and trustees Michael Blechman, Lou Scaduto Jr., Tori Sickles and Kim Tsimbinos.
According to the press release, as Lunch Break turns a new chapter in its 37-year history, board members and staff members are looking forward to welcoming incoming president Phil Antoon of Red Bank.
Antoon grew up in West Long Branch, attended Shore Regional High School and graduated from West Virginia University with a major in finance. He was a four-year member of the Mountaineers’ soccer team.
Antoon is a managing director with global consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal. He specializes in the valuation of corporations, legal entities and intellectual property for companies worldwide, according to the press release.
“I am confident in welcoming Phil as president,” Klein was quoted as saying in the press release. “He will be supported by wonderful, experienced board members, as well as five new energetic ones. Their efforts are essential to those in need in our community. We thank them for their service.”
Antoon has been involved with Lunch Break for 15 years, first providing donations for general use and then for the Children’s Cooking Class, the Life Skills Center, and the expansion of the Lunch Break facility, among others, according to the press release.
He runs a clothing drive at his office for Lunch Break’s Suit Up program. Antoon also is involved with a fundraising effort for a floor in the new West Virginia University Children’s Hospital.
“I am honored to be part of the Lunch Break family and especially proud that every member of the organization from the staff, volunteers, donors and Board of Trustees to the advisory council work together with the mission of helping anyone in need,” Antoon said.
“John Klein has been absolutely tremendous as the president of the board and I look forward to the challenge of continuing John’s incredible leadership and passion for helping others,” he said.
Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love said, “I am always humbled to work with such phenomenal people and share with them this incredible journey.
“John, Michael, Tori, Lou and Kim have all poured out their talent and time to help develop this organization’s capacity to not only continue this work, but to grow beyond.
“We are excited to work with Phil as our chairman and our new members, Robin Klein, Kevin Chieff, Richard Brodsky, Stephen Reinhard and Eric Gatti, and we look forward to more exciting times and growth at Lunch Break as we seek to help improve the lives of those we serve,” Love said.
The 2020-21 Lunch Break trustees are Phil Antoon, president; Mimi Keenan, vice president; Steven Haugenes, treasurer; Nancy Karpf, secretary; Michael Bagnell, Richard Brodsky, Kevin Chieff, George Chrysanthopoulos, Christopher Cole, Maura Creekmore, Josephine Guttadauro, Eric Gatti, Dave Hinton, Robin Klein, Juanita Lewis, Brian McEvily, Trudy Parton, Dr. Carol A. Penn, Tina Pflaster, Stephen Reinhard, Michael A. Wright, Frances Statter, emeritus, and Gwendolyn O. Love, executive director.
Lunch Break freely provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond. For more information, visit www.lunchbreak.org