On July 25, 2025, we bid farewell to a remarkable leader, colleague, and friend: Olivia Muñiz Rodríguez, who retired after 30 years of service as Operations Manager at Feed the Hungry San Miguel.
A Journey That Began with a “Godfather”
Born and raised in San Miguel de Allende, Olivia studied in Mexico City before returning home to teach English. Her life took a turn in 1995, when the late Reverend Robert “Bob” Herbert, whom Olivia fondly called her “godfather”, asked her to help bag dried food for Feed the Hungry. That simple request opened the door to a lifelong vocation.
Through Bob, Olivia met two colorful New Orleans transplants, Alice and Joe Minton, and later Tony and Shirley Adlerbert, whom she calls her “angels.” With their encouragement, she joined Feed the Hungry full time, managing kitchens, buying food, designing menus, and ultimately building an operations team that grew with the organization.
Building Programs, Changing Lives
From Feed the Hungry’s humble beginnings in a small, rat-infested bodega near the train station, Olivia helped move the venture into a permanent home and guided the transformation of the menus to reflect both nutritional standards and cultural traditions. She worked closely with cooks, nutritionists, and communities, ensuring that the food served was not only healthy but also familiar and comforting to the children.
Her role expanded over the years to include oversight of all kitchens, human resources, schools, local government, and the National System for Integral Family Development (Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia).
As she once joked, had she seen her full job description in 1995, she might have run away. Instead, she grew into a leader respected by colleagues, board members, and volunteers alike.
Leading in Times of Crisis
Olivia’s leadership reached its pinnacle during the most trying moments. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the support of then-President Al Kocourek, she swiftly reimagined Feed the Hungry’s operations model. Practically overnight, she mobilized her team to distribute over 500 food bags daily to families facing sudden financial hardship. Under Olivia’s direction, Feed the Hungry became a vital lifeline, providing hope and sustenance to thousands across the region.
She was also instrumental in the design and launch of the Early Childhood Nutrition Program, ensuring that the youngest and most vulnerable would not be left behind, and in creating the Food Extension Program, which continues today to provide food support to families in need and elders who live alone.
A Legacy of Heart and Commitment
For Olivia, every day at Feed the Hungry was “an adventure, full of learning, making friends.” She never lost sight of the mission to ensure no child goes to school hungry, and she carried out her work with deep compassion, cultural understanding, and unwavering commitment.
On July 25, the board, staff, and many of our kitchen cooks gathered to wish Olivia a heartfelt farewell. This simple celebration, made possible through contributions from board members, reflected the deep appreciation we all feel for her three decades of service. Her biggest surprise that day was seeing her “angel,” Shirley Adlerbert, walk in with open arms to embrace her. Shirley’s late husband, Tony, who passed away in 2022, surely would have been there too, smiling and welcoming her as always, perhaps this time from heaven.
As we honor Olivia’s retirement, we also celebrate her extraordinary legacy. She leaves behind not just programs and systems, but a spirit of dedication, resilience, and love that will continue to guide Feed the Hungry San Miguel for generations to come.
Gracias, Olivia. Your 30 years of service have forever shaped our organization and the lives of countless children and families.
EN 
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