Behind the scenes at God’s Pantry Food Bank, where thousands of pounds of food are distributed every week across 50 counties in Kentucky, there’s one team making sure every facility is operating at full capacity: the Maintenance & Food Safety team, led by Michael “Pope.”
Pope also played a key role in the construction and opening of the new food bank, located at 2201 Innovation Drive in Lexington.
As the Maintenance & Food Safety Manager, Pope has a foot in two essential worlds. One half of his role is keeping the physical operations of the food bank moving—managing buildings, grounds, and warehouse equipment across all locations. The other half is just as critical: ensuring food safety programs are in place and followed at every facility.
Pope joined GPFB five years ago after spending more than three decades managing warehouses and working as a maintenance mechanic in manufacturing. But he was looking for something more—something with heart.
"I was looking for something I could do that would help other people instead of just making a paycheck," Pope shared. "I knew food banks were a place that helped people who really needed it. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work at GPFB."
A Day in the Life
No two days are the same for Pope. His mornings start with checking emails, texts, and maintenance requests before coordinating with his team to tackle the day's priorities. He keeps a close eye on warehouse operations, monitoring freezer and cooler temperatures to ensure food stays safe and addressing any mechanical issues that arise. Whether it’s ordering supplies, managing major projects, or responding to emergency repairs, Pope’s work is essential to keeping GPFB running smoothly.
And it doesn’t stop at the end of the workday—Pope is on call 24/7, ready to respond to alarms and urgent maintenance needs at any of our facilities.
Proud Moments and Personal Connections
One of the most memorable moments of Pope’s time at GPFB happened unexpectedly at a gas station. A gentleman approached him to share that GPFB had helped his family during a tough time—and that he had recently started a new job.
“Hearing that firsthand really stuck with me," Pope said. "It helped me see just how much the work we do matters."
Building the Future
Pope was also a key part of the team that led the construction of our new 2201 Innovation Drive facility—a project that not only expanded our capacity to serve but also improved the safety and efficiency of our operations.
“The best part was seeing the finished product,” he said. "I’m especially proud of the cooled receiving area. It helps protect our food during the summer months and gives our associates more time to move food safely."
Of course, construction wasn’t without challenges. From unexpected rock beds delaying pipe installation to last-minute adjustments like adding a fire pump to having a pipe burst on Thanksgiving morning, Pope leaned on his decades of experience to keep the project moving forward.
“I am proud of this facility and proud of how it can improve our response time to disaster as well as making it much more efficient in how we warehouse and deliver food," said Pope.
A Heart for the Mission
For Pope, food insecurity isn’t just a statistic—it’s a fight worth showing up for every day.
"Food is the most basic need," he said. "There are people who can't meet that need without help. That’s where we come in. Fighting to fill that gap is something we cannot take lightly."
When he’s not working, Pope loves spending time at his cabin in the woods, tending to a large garden, and building projects by hand—skills that clearly carry over into his professional life. But above all, his heart belongs to his five grandchildren, who he says have taught him the purest form of love, “I have always said to know the purest form of love you have to be a grandparent because I can’t explain the love, I feel for these beautiful individuals that call me Papaw.”
At GPFB, we are grateful for Pope’s dedication, skill, and heart. He keeps our facilities strong, our food safe, and our mission alive every day.
Editor's Note: Pope was named the inagural Game Changer of the Month at our quarterly team meeting on April 30. Congratulations, Pope!
