A new executive director will take the helm at Damien’s Food Pantry starting in early August.

Fall River resident Rachel Resendes was appointed as the next executive director after a “comprehensive” search and selection process, the pantry announced. 

Resendes will succeed current executive director Pauline Lally, who started volunteering for Damien’s Food Pantry in 1996. She eventually joined the board of directors for the pantry in 2019, and became executive director in January 2023. 

Lally said that under Resendes, the pantry is poised to expand its community outreach programs with local health and wellness checks and nutrition education.

“We all feel good that this is a good fit for the pantry,” Lally said.

Under Lally’s direction, Damien’s Food Pantry raised millions to build and open a new location, launched a program to teach pantry goers nutritional cooking skills and started a community garden pilot program.

“My desire to give back to the community is my primary motivation and I couldn’t have chosen a better place than Damien's,” Lally said in 2023.

Once Resendes takes the reins, Lally will step back to the Damien’s Food Pantry Board of Directors, where she will serve as treasurer.

Lally said that the goal of the search process was to ensure that the direction of the pantry would be left in “good hands.”

The pantry now turns to a new director in Resendes, who will inherit the $2.3 million location that opened in April.

Resendes will join the Damien’s team on Monday, Aug. 5 and has experience in managing large scale initiatives in food, education and grant projects for over 20 years, according to the pantry. 

She has also handled budgets, staffing, and programs, holding a doctorate in business administration from Columbia Southern University. 

“We are confident that Rachel's appointment will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our organization,” the pantry wrote.