Caroline County’s Compassion Odette Boyce-Galvez by Meg McDermott
Odette Boyce-Galvez is a lifelong Caroline County resident driven by her passion for service and fostering community. She has dedicated more than two and half decades connecting vulnerable members of the community to needed resources, with a focus on fighting and dismantling the hunger epidemic. “It is important work due to our food insecurity in Caroline County,” says Odette. “No one should go to bed hungry.” Odette was born in Ridgley and graduated from North Caroline County High School before attending Fleet Business School in Annapolis. Her service career began as an Interviewer for Caroline County Energy Assistance at the Department of Social Services, where she worked with applicants for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and performed extensive outreach to migrant workers applying for food stamps. Odette then transitioned to the Caroline County Family Support Center, where she was a Family Advocate from 1996 to 2006. She spent this time providing direct
service and assistance to families in need of early childhood resources, guaranteeing that children received enriching early childhood education experiences. Sister Patricia hired Odette in 2006 to be the Manager of Saint Martin’s Barn Food Pantry and Thrift Store. As Barn Manager, she oversees all daily operations, which is no small feat. Odette manages all food donations, storage, and distribution to ensure Martin’s
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