Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County is pleased to announce Opey Peñaloga has been named their new executive director, effective May 1. Peñaloga will succeed retiring Vickie Snyder, who says she is “thrilled to welcome Peñaloga, whose exceptional leadership skills and vision will undoubtedly propel our organization to new heights.”
Peñaloga has over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including his most recent tenure as Chief Operations Officer at Special Olympics Idaho. There he led the operations of the organization through the challenges of the pandemic, rebounding with successes in stabilizing the program, growing the team, and diversifying fundraising strategies.
Peñaloga says, “I can’t wait to continue this work together with the Basic Needs community as we broaden our impact and reach to serve more individuals and families.”
Board President Whitney Harvey is “beyond thrilled to welcome Opey to the Basic Needs family,” and “is confident in his ability to uphold our mission to uplift those who have experienced hardship with his passion, energy, and vast non-profit experience. Opey is kind, considerate, a strong leader, a strong communicator, and collaborator. I couldn't think of a better person for the job!”
Basic Needs has been led by Vickie Snyder since 2019. As she retires, completing her journey with Basic Needs, she is “filled with gratitude for the memories we've shared, the challenges we've overcome, and the victories we've celebrated together. I am confident that the best is yet to come, and I look forward to watching as Basic Needs continues to thrive under the capable leadership of the new executive director."
Basic Needs has two core sites of work supporting their mission: Basic Needs Thrift Shop and Basic Needs Food Market. As executive director, Peñaloga will be responsible for maintaining and creating partnerships and relationships with the community. His duties include staff and volunteer oversight, operational management, strategic planning, fundraising, and development.
Basic Needs, a nonprofit organization founded in 1996, formerly known as Stone Soup, uplifts those in the community who have encountered hardship by providing barrier-free access to basic needs via our nutritious and fresh food market, affordable and high-quality thrift shop, a voucher system, and social services referral network to build a stronger community focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Learn more at basicneedsmn.org.
