Rev. Carl Vierling, Founding Executive Director of the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA), Announces Spring 2025 Retirement

Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information contact:

Eli Saavedra-Villatoro, PMP, MS, RDN, LDN

Board Chair, Greater High Point Food Alliance

With much gratitude and deep respect, the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) board of directors announces the retirement of the organization’s founding executive director, Rev. Carl Vierling. Vierling, who helped launch the organization in 2014, will retire in March 2025.

GHPFA was formed in response to 2014 data indicating that the Greensboro-High Point area was number one in the nation in food hardship. A group of concerned citizens from the business sector, academia, nonprofit organizations, community activists, and neighbors experiencing food insecurity joined forces to address the issue in a systematic, strategic way.

“High Point has a long history of people working together to solve our biggest challenges, and Carl leveraged relationships and community energy to tackle food insecurity” said Steve Key, executive director of Helping Hands of High Point. “During the first Food Summit, the community joined together to set fifty goals and, over the next year, made progress on each of them. Carl held us accountable and, as a result, we’ve held each other accountable to move the needle.”

Since the first Food Summit, significant progress has been made in alleviating food insecurity in High Point.

“Under Carl’s guidance, the GHPFA has not only confronted food insecurity but laid the groundwork for a sustainable and effective food system in High Point,” said Cyril Jefferson, Mayor of High Point. “His involvement in our application for the All-America City Award was pivotal, making our case compelling and showcasing how High Point overcame food hardships through collaborative efforts. His passion and commitment have inspired many, and the foundations he has helped build will ensure a brighter, more food-secure future for all residents of High Point."

On September 19, 2024, GHPFA will lead the eighth annual High Point Food Summit during which partners will share data, learn about innovative projects, and celebrate successes. Vierling will be honored for his contributions at the event. 

Partners value Vierling’s knowledge of resources within the county and across the state, and his ability to connect the right people at the right time to better serve the community. Ellen Whitlock, CEO of Senior Resources of Guilford and a long-time GHPFA partner, shared one such story. 

“Recently, Carl and I were talking about the challenges of increased nutritional needs among seniors with fixed incomes,” said Whitlock. “With his encouragement, our agency connected with a longtime partner, Mobile Meals of High Point, and strengthened our infrastructure to ensure homebound senior neighbors would receive valuable nutritional support. His vision and passion will be missed as he starts the next chapter in his life and continues giving back to others.”

“Carl’s impact on High Point is unparalleled, but few people realize it because he prefers to work in the background,” said Dr. Joe Blosser, Chief Impact Officer, Earl & Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation. “He oversaw the single biggest drop any city across the nation has seen in food hardship, from first to fourteenth in the nation. Through his efforts, our city now has a sustainable network of organizations working together to ensure the people in our city have enough healthy food to eat.” 

“Carl has led this movement to eliminate barriers to healthy, safe, and affordable food with unmatched tenacity, creativity, and compassion,” said Eli Saavedra-Villatoro, GHPFA board chair. “As he retires, he leaves a legacy of passionate leaders and strong partners who are well-equipped to continue the work for the next decade.” 

GHPFA’s board of directors will begin a regional search for Vierling’s successor in October.