Doreen Wohl

Doreen believed that fences were made to be climbed, signs were merely a suggestion, and rules were meant to be challenged. She was quite simply a force.

Born in England in 1932, she lived through World War II and was evacuated twice to escape Nazi bombings. In the Mid 1950's she crossed the Atlantic to work with the American Friends Service Committee, first in Mexico where she met her late husband Bernie Wohl, and then in the United States. Doreen worked with migrant farm workers which lead to a career dedicated to working with and for underserved communities. She developed family day care, after school and residential summer camp programs at South Side Settlement House in Columbus, Ohio and University Settlement and Kingsbridge Heights Community Centers in New York City.

Doreen spent the last 20 years of her career at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger in New York City where she instituted innovations that transformed the food bank into a cooperative, with customer volunteers, a supermarket style pantry, and wrap around services, including a chef training program and a social services assistance program. Doreen's model, which provided dignity to the customers, has been widely adopted across the United States. She received numerous awards for her innovation, including the Lemlich award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Doreen's home was always a hub for friends, travelers, and family. She especially delighted in spending time with her four grandchildren. She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Cynthia, her daughter Carla and husband Norm, and her grandchildren Corey, Olivia, Jordan and Emma. A memorial will be held at a later date. Contributions in her memory can be made to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger.