Helping Our Community
Who We Are
Salem Area Ministries (SAM) is a faith-based nonprofit serving students, families, and individuals in Salem, VA, and the surrounding communities. Since 1997, we have partnered with local schools and community organizations to provide children with essential resources that support health, education, and overall well-being. In addition, we offer clothing and other assistance to families and individuals facing hardship. Our mission is made possible through the generosity of grants, churches, businesses, foundations, community groups, and caring individuals who believe in building a stronger, more compassionate community.
We became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2012.
What We Do
We provide critical funding and resources to support school feeding programs, including student-led food pantries, school-run gardens, and grocery gift cards to help families during the summer months. Beyond nutrition, we offer support on an as-needed basis for basic student necessities such as books, backpacks, toiletries, and school supplies.
Additionally, our free clothing ministry offers individuals and families in need a dignified way to “shop” for clothing, helping to ease the burden of everyday expenses.
Meet our staff
Garry Lautenschlager
Administrator & HCAT Program Manger
As Administrator, Garry is responsible for overseeing daily SAM operations and ensuring fulfillment of the organization’s mission. He is responsible for program management, fundraising, community engagement, volunteer coordination, public relations, financial management, compliance, and reporting. Garry also serves as SAM’s HCAT program manager. The Healthy Communities Action Teams (HCAT) grant supports initiatives aimed at improving youth health and preventing childhood obesity. This grant supports SAM’s current school garden program.
Edie Saunders
Operations Coordinator – Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet
As Clothes Closet Operations Coordinator, Edie oversees daily operations of the clothing ministry, coordinating volunteers, managing donations, and helping maintain a welcoming and organized environment for guests. She also focuses on building community partnerships that support the organization’s mission of providing dignity and support to families in need through the gift of clothing.
Our Board of Directors
- Carey Harveycutter, Chair
- Cindy Neathawk, Vice Chair, Feeding Programs
- Bernice Jones, Vice Chair, Clothes Closet
- Angie Petty, Secretary
- Angela Martin, Treasurer
- Sandy Hart, Director
- Destiny Speller, Director (Dept of Social Services)
- Trula Byington, Director
- Pastor David Drebes, Director (Salem Ministers Conference)
- Denise Pollard, Director
- Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez, Director
- Reverend Paul Henrickson, Director
- Beverly Looney, Director
- Teri Atkins, Director
- Joan Dorsey, Founder and Director Emerita