Community Spotlight: Wendi Huntley

By Councilwoman Katie Moline

This summer, while driving around the City of Toledo you might have noticed signs that read Connecting Kids to Meals. The signs have become a common sight around the city, but they also reflect a welcome source of nutrition and meaningful programming for children in our community.

CEO of Connecting Kids to Meals, Wendi Huntley took over the organization formerly known as Feed Lucas County Children in 2016, after working for the Children’s Hunger Alliance. Ms. Huntley reorganized the struggling program, which was on the verge of shutting its doors, into a thriving organization that provides over 700,000 meals to kids every year.

While serving as CEO of Connecting Kids to Meals, Ms. Huntley has grown the after-school partner sites from sixteen to seventy. She also oversaw summer meal program sites increased from fifty-three to one hundred and fifty sites! The excellent leadership provided by Ms. Huntley has been integral for the growth of the organization as well as navigating the uncertain times of the pandemic when the number of meals served increased from around 500,000 to close to 850,000 at the height of the pandemic. Currently, the numbers are around 750,000 but are climbing with rising inflation and food costs.

In addition to Ms. Huntley’s important work with Connecting Kids to Meals, she contributes to a mentorship program started by University of Toledo Women’s Basketball Coach, Tricia Cullop, where community leaders are paired with student athletes in the same field of study. Any student would be lucky to be paired with Ms. Huntley, a former college basketball player and sports agent. Ms. Huntley is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University College of Law. She practiced at the Ohio-based law firm Bricker & Eclker before starting her own law firm.

With ever-increasing need, the families of the City of Toledo and the surrounding communities would have a much harder time living their daily lives without the work of Ms. Wendi Huntley and her dedicated staff. It is refreshing to have business and community leaders use their knowledge and understanding to help those with true needs in our community with no expectation of anything in return. Toledo is fortunate to be served and inspired by the servant leadership of Wendi Huntely!