BIO OF ROBERT BOTTS
Marengo has been my adult hometown since 1972. After teaching business education at MCHS for 33 years, I am now retired and working harder than I ever did. My five grown children live in the area and I boast about my nine grandchildren often. My wife, Chris, also retired, is Co-Director of the Food Pantry.
I was drawn to the food pantry situation in late 1999 and was asked to coordinate an effort to get improved facilities. Because of my experience in establishing the Marengo Area Schools Education Foundation (MASEF) in 1992, I proposed an entirely new structure to governing the food pantry so that fundraising could be easier. After incorporating and establishing a twelve-member Board of Directors, Marengo area OutReach Enterprises was begun in 2000. After seven years of tremendous efforts from our Board and the community, the M.O.R.E. Center opened. I am especially proud of our program directors and our volunteer base. They make the Center come to life, offering a compassionate hand to those entering.
As Executive Director, I feel that I am very fortunate to be a part of a success story in a town that came together to take care of its neighbors in need. For most of us, we are probably only a personal loss or two away from being in need of the services the M.O.R.E. Center offers.