Matt Pollino won’t tell you much about his time in the U.S. Air Force. He just wants you to know he was proud to serve.
He probably also won’t tell you about his time playing football. He just wants you to know he loved the game, and loves being part of a team.
But ask him about Grove Christian Outreach Center; he can talk to you for hours.
Not just because it’s his job.
Matt serves today as the Grove Christian Outreach Center’s Development Manager, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and personal connection to the role.
But because it’s his passion. And he gets it.
Real Talk
Matt’s path to Grove Christian Outreach Center is deeply personal.
Following his military service, facing significant life transitions, Matt found himself a single father to two young children, pursuing new career paths and needing help.
“I never thought I’d need a resource like Grove,” Matt said.
But he did.
“Grove isn’t just for people at the poverty level – it’s for anyone going through tough times,” Matt said. “It’s about making sure kids are fed and that families have the support they need to get back on their feet.”
From Receiving Help to Leading the Effort
Matt’s firsthand experience with Grove’s mission fueled his passion for giving back, as did his family-first philosophy. It’s the key to who he is.
Raised in a close-knit family, Matt prioritizes co-parenting his children and ensuring they have enriching experiences beyond just necessities. He is also very close to his parents and brother, who reside in his hometown of Southern New Jersey, as well as his sister, who lives in Alabama.
Matt’s family focus shines through in how he approaches those he helps at work.
At Grove, Matt initially began working with the food ministry, learning the ins and outs of operations and connecting with volunteers and neighbors in need. When Grove launched The Gathering Place – a free grocery market designed to elevate the traditional food pantry experience and provide families with a dignified shopping experience for essential food and supplies – Matt played an integral role in its success, helping with logistics and heavy lifting.
Grove’s leadership took note.
His natural ability to connect with people, paired with his background in sales and coordination, made him an ideal candidate for development work, helping raise more funds to help feed and support more neighbors.
Over time, he transitioned into the Development Manager role, where he now focuses on building relationships with volunteers, donors and local businesses to even further strengthen Grove’s impact.
A Vision for Growth and Community Engagement
As Development Manager, Matt is committed to fostering community support and expanding Grove’s reach.
“In my role, I am focused on helping people understand how they can make a difference,” he said.
Making a difference can be volunteering, donating food and supplies, or sending monetary support.
“Inflation has impacted both food donations, which are going down, and the number of families seeking assistance, which is going up,” Matt said. “We can use all the support we can get from the community, as little or as much as they can provide.”
Matt is eager to build on Grove’s existing programs and introduce new initiatives, including continuing to grow the annual fall Grove Trotter 5K/10K. He is actively engaging local businesses and gyms to increase participation, as well as strengthening partnerships with schools to encourage student-led food drives.
“I want young people to see the impact of their efforts – to physically see the food they’ve collected and understand what it means for families in need.
Have a heart for the Grove and Greater Williamsburg community and helping families fight food insecurity, among other challenges?
Go here to see how you can help others.
“The true drive of this work,” Matt said, “is love and grace.”
