Our Team

 Susan Farnsworth joined the Phoenix Area Food Pantry March 2020. Covid had hit while she was in Florida on vacation and, as she watched shelves empty in grocery stores and Canadian travelers rush back home, she and her partner decided to cut their trip short and return to CNY.

Once back home and seeing the seriousness of the situation, she looked around to see who may need help. Her first call was to Erin's Angels where director Sheila Dion pointed her to the Pantry. (The Pantry was sending their older volunteers home and needed replacements.)

She's been there ever since. "I enjoy the balance of engaging with the people we serve, the physical work keeping the pantry stocked, and contributing new ideas. And the volunteers are a really good team."

Prior to the Pantry, Susan had her working career coordinating marketing for Empire Federal Credit Union for nineteen years.

She lives in the village of Liverpool with Al and their cats. They both have grown children and grandchildren, all out of town. Susan has spent her post-work years joining things.

Anthony Grosso is a pharmacist at the Medicine Place in Phoenix, NY with a heart for service. He has served and cared for this community for over 20 years. Tony grew up in Baldwinsville, and after attending Albany College of Pharmacy, returned home to raise a family in his hometown. Tony worked at Kinney Drugs in Baldwinsville for a number of years after college. As his family started to grow, he was offered an opportunity to work at The Medicine Place. With two young daughters, he decided to make the move to Phoenix, which allowed him to be home in time to see his girls every day. With the pharmacy being closed on Sundays he had time to serve in guest services every week at Word of Life church for over 4 years. His young daughters are now soon to be 16 and 18 years old and both also serve this community at The Medicine Place. In addition, his eldest has been volunteering on Wednesdays at The Phoenix Community Food Pantry. Tony and his wife Karen live their lives and raise their children with two simple rules. Do your best. Make the world a better place. We have an opportunity to make the world a better place with every interaction we have with others, whether a kind word and a smile, or something more substantial like volunteering our time to help those less fortunate. His family continues to grow as they plan to adopt a 12 year old daughter this year. Working in this community for all of these years has allowed Tony to create bonds and friendships with the patients he serves. "Phoenix is an amazing, tight knit community filled with love. The people in this community genuinely care for one another and I have had the pleasure of watching it first hand. I see that often those who have the least to give continue to give what they have right back to this community. That is why I decided to accept a position on the Board of the Phoenix Food Pantry. I want to ensure that this community continues to provide for those who need it the most. The needy in our community are as important to its success as the wealthy, and it's up to all of us to care for and lift up our brothers and sisters." "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew25:40) 

 Jim Lynch, Village Administrator for the Village of Phoenix for 10 years, past Village Trustee for 6 years, Owner of the Graphics Warehouse, a full service sign shop situated in the Village for over 25 years. Founder of Phoenix Rising, a not for profit organization serving the Phoenix Community where our mission is “Enhancing Our Community Through Small Acts of Kindness”.  I am a Liverpool Alumni and have lived here in the Village of Phoenix for 35 years, my wife of 36 years, Tammy was born and raised here in the village where we also raised our four children, Derek, Jesse Remington and James. I have 3 grandsons, 2 of which live in the village and one in Phoenix but outside the village. I am not big on awards or accomplishments, sorry. Entrepreneur award in 2001, Varsity Baseball Coach for PCSD, parent of the year from PCSD, Man of the Year award from the Village and the Lions Club… My interests are geared toward family and time spent at my camp on Sandy Pond. I like the outdoors, hiking the ADK high peaks, photography, personal mind over matter challenges, music, weekend adventures, my 1968 Camaro, and most of all traveling with my wife. I have traveled to many places and countries, both cruising and destinations but my most memorable trip has been my most recent 3 week mission trip to Rural Kenya, Africa. It was a very rewarding and perspective changing trip in which I believe has helped me understand and solidify my purpose  and drive to that of helping others, giving back how and when I can and just generally try to live my life being a good person and leaving things that I work on in a better place than how I found them for the next person. I would like to be able to take my recent life lessons and perspective awareness to the board with the Phoenix Area Food Pantry and let everyone involved know and understand that I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and believe that through kindness, respect, and compassion, we can uplift one another. It is my honor to give back and help ensure that every individual is treated with the dignity they deserve. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. I absolutely love my Village, it’s residents and all those who choose to visit and patronize our small community.