PA Local Heroes is a monthly feature sponsored by Ballard Spahr. Installments appear first in PA Local, Spotlight PA’s weekly newsletter that takes a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here.
Every delivery to Phoenixville Area Community Services brings something new.
Inside each vehicle, volunteers at the food bank find prepared meals from grocery stores, food-filled bags from neighbors, and bundles of fresh produce from gardeners.
When a donation is a mystery, they turn to Elaine Miller, a 72-year-old retiree who volunteers call the “Queen of the Unidentified Vegetable.” She’s eyeballed red okra, tomatillos, and other produce that left others stumped, she told PA Local.
She’s also got a knack for drumming up interest for overlooked items. If the nonprofit’s free food pantry has an overabundance of something, she’ll share a recipe to encourage shoppers to try it out, be it for pickled radish or mashed rutabagas. And she’ll market slow-moving produce by pointing out the lettuce was harvested just that morning.
Despite Chester County’s wealth, at PACS Miller has seen the region’s food insecurity and the need for assistance, especially among those with jobs. “It’s eye-opening and it’s heartbreaking but it’s also extremely fulfilling to be able to do something about it,” she told PA Local.
Her commitment to fighting community hunger earned her a nomination for our PA Local Heroes series, sponsored by Ballard Spahr.
Before she dedicated four days a week to working with food donations, Miller was a consultant for more than 30 years. Every week, she left her Chester Springs home, traveling to help guide financial services and healthcare organizations through big transitions. In that phase of her life, she gave back through donations.
After retiring, she finally had the time to volunteer, and preferred to work with food.
“I never understood how we could live in a country that is so wealthy and yet has so many hungry people,” said Miller.
A postcard connected her to PACS, which distributes food to families in need in the Phoenixville area. The agency provides monthly food orders. Six days a week, anybody in need can stop at PACS’ free market, which is stocked with donated produce, canned goods, meat, dairy, and prepared food. The nonprofit also shares food with about 30 partners, such as senior centers and church food pantries.
PACS Executive Director Mary Fuller put the need in perspective. The number of Chester County residents experiencing food insecurity would more than fill Citizens Bank Park, she told Spotlight PA. Last month, PACS served more than 12,000 people in northern Chester County.
In her first role at PACS, Miller stocked shelves. This was in 2021, so she and other volunteers worked as personal shoppers, keeping their distance behind masks and plastic panels. If there were language barriers, volunteers made do with pictures of available food and lots of pointing.
As time passed, shoppers were allowed to grab carts and make their own selections. The closer contact allowed volunteers like Miller to share tips for preparing some of the lesser-known vegetables.
Eventually, Miller became the Saturday market manager.
The role demands quick thinking, as Saturday is the food bank’s busiest day. As shoppers browse, volunteers must inspect incoming donations to make sure they’re viable, transfer food to the market to keep aisles stocked, and put together grocery orders.
Because of its small paid staff, volunteers are a lifeline for PACS, said Fuller. The demand for its services will continue to increase, she told Spotlight PA — something PACS is already seeing as federal changes to SNAP benefits go into effect.
Miller has distinguished herself among the roughly 350 active volunteers who fuel the programs at PACS. She’s won several honors, including the org’s 2024 Lois Gould Volunteer of the Year Award. “She’s pretty amazing,” Fuller said. “Her energy seems almost limitless. There’s nothing too big or too small,” noting Miller’s done just about every task.
Recently, Miller stepped out of the warehouse and joined the PACS board to focus on development and financial donations. The number of people served by PACS increased 40% last year and 36% the previous year, Fuller said. There are days when 300 people shop in the market, and Fuller doesn’t see the need slowing. Having Miller on the development side will help the nonprofit meet the rising demand.
Still, Miller shows up at the Saturday market. Seeing donors bring food, managing the volunteers who sort and stock, and watching shoppers make their picks is a “full-circle” experience she values highly.
“It’s very satisfying work for me,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to volunteer so I’m glad I found such a good fit.”
