When, in 1991, local pastor Rev. John von Hemmert recognized a need for help with the basics of life among many in his Louisa congregation and beyond and founded a modest effort to provide these services to a few hundred individuals and families, he likely didn’t expect that his effort would grow into a major county-wide organization with multiple programs and services supporting thousands of people.

But it did!

Today’s Louisa County Resource Council offers programs in five key areas serving more than 4,000 people from a campus on aptly named Resource Lane east of Louisa and in partnership with several churches across the county. Although passing away in 2022, von Hemmert lived to see much of his initial vision come to pass as the council grew into the county-wide force for good it has become. Today the council operates with a paid part-time staff of five, augmented by several volunteers. All costs are met by donations, including an amount from Louisa County donated outside official funding provisions.

The Council’s main campus, built eleven years ago on land donated in 2004, houses offices, food preparation, packaging, and distribution areas; a thrift store, and a warehouse with two room-sized freezers and a refrigerator of equal size. Food and other donations come from several businesses, including Walmart, Food Lion, Dollar General, and Sheetz, often comprising full pallets up to seven feet high. Warehouse staff and volunteers organize food donations for immediate distribution several days each week and periodic Saturdays, storing the remainder for distribution at later dates.

In addition to its food support program, the council offers support in several areas, including Wheels for Work, providing vouchers for automobile repair costs for qualifying clients. Vouchers are limited to $500 per instance and may be used at local participating repair partners.

For clients in need of emergency dental support, the council provides vouchers that may be used to cover the cost of treatment by local dentists.

The council also provides a “child feeding program” every Wednesday when food-filled backpacks are passed out to qualifying children.

To assist clients in finding support services, an information and referral program locates and links clients with council resources and with organizations that provide services the council does not.

And, of course, there is the Community Closet thrift store on the main campus offering a wide array of household items, from clothing to appliances and small furniture items, all at highly attractive prices.
For organizations needing volunteer support, the council offers Volunteering Louisa, encouraging citizens to volunteer their time and connecting them with the organizations that need them.

Executive Director Lloyd Runnett, holding the position since 2015, leads the staff and volunteers in keeping the council a major force meeting the needs of county residents facing difficult circumstances. While most of the council’s programs enforce an eligibility requirement, including participation in the federal SNAP supplemental food program (previously known as “food stamps”), one program, the USDA-sponsored emergency food program in place since the 1950s, accepts anyone, ensuring that, as Director Runnett recently told The Breeze, “No one leaves here hungry.”

Barry Schaeffer

Barry grew up and completed his schooling in southern California, moving to Virginia in 1980.

As a communicator, Barry was a regular columnist for CMSWire, as well as Intranet Development and Newspapers and Technology Magazines, and was a reporter for his local newspaper, The Central Virginian.  He was also one of four consultant/authors for the landmark congressional study “Informing the Nation” (1987.) 

As a customer service provider: while finishing college, he spent four years in the retail beverage industry, dealing directly with customers.

As a corporate manager, he was a successful manager with several firms, including:

• At Pacific Telephone, he managed groups of up to 150 people and was rated Outstanding among managers in Southern California.
• For Arcata Data Management, he took over a 100-person division known for significant monthly losses and late delivery penalties, taking it to profitability in less than six months.
• For Planning Research Corporation, he managed a staff of 100 contractor personnel in the computer center for the White House (EOPCC), taking the Award Fee contract from zero award to maximum in six months.

As a project manager, Barry successfully led and completed major projects.

• For the private sector: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Boeing Helicopter, Sikorsky Aviation, Ford Motor Company (through Tweddle Group,) World Book Encyclopedia, The Bureau of National Affairs.

• For the Federal government: Congressional Research Service (CRS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U. S. Office Management and Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President (White House), Department of Defense (Army National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC), Air Force Material Command, Naval Sea Systems Command.)

• For State Governments: Administrative Code systems for Texas and Oklahoma.

As an entrepreneur, he co-founded and led two successful firms including X.Systems, (founded in 1993 and acquired by XyEnterprise in 2009.) 

He is a graduate of California State University/Los Angeles with a BA in psychology, and of the rigorous Bell System Management Achievement Program.