Carol M. Herndon has been named the new executive director of Food for Thought, a backpack program that provides weekend meals to children from food-insecure families in the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

“My recent work with several local nonprofit organizations has opened my eyes, and my heart, to the challenges around poverty in our community,” Herndon, who had a 22-year career with Food Lion/Delhaize America, said in a news release. “I cannot accept the idea of a hungry child.”

“The mission of Food for Thought and the potential to help eliminate the pain and limitations related to hunger led me to this position, and I am honored and blessed by this opportunity,” she said.

Herndon earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. After graduation, she joined the international accounting firm of Ernst and Whinney, leaving that organization as a manager in 1989 to accept a position at Food Lion, Inc. She served in multiple leadership roles with Food Lion/Delhaize America including chief financial officer and chief administrative officer from 2006 to 2011.

Herndon retired from the organization in June 2011 with the intention to make herself more available to her family and to give back to her community. Following her retirement, she has served as a board member for five local nonprofit organizations.

Paula Mead, Food for Thought board president, was impressed by Herndon’s commitment to her community and believes her leadership skills will be a great asset to the organization.

“She leads with her heart, but also has the experience of business,” Mead said in the news release. “With that combination, Food for Thought is lucky to have her.”

Herndon lives in Salisbury with her husband Mike, a teacher and coach in Davie County. She has a son, Carson, who is a senior at Liberty University, and a daughter, Bailey, who is a sophomore at West Rowan High School.

She succeeds former executive director Tory Curran, who has taken a job with the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

Food for Thought’s mission is to provide nutritious weekend meals to food-insecure children in the Rowan-Salisbury School System through the creation of local coalitions working together to improve the community. More information about Food for Thought can be found at www.ncfoodforthought.org or on Facebook.