Meet Our New Board Member: Carolina Cruz
Carolina Cruz’s journey to becoming our newest board member began long before the formal invitation arrived. Her roots in storytelling, service, and a lifelong sensitivity to the needs of others have uniquely positioned her to step into this new role—not just as a board member, but as a voice for those often unheard.
Born in Colombia and raised in St. Louis, Carolina was immersed in the world of media and storytelling from an early age. Her father worked as a cameraman, planting the seed of curiosity and communication early in her life.
“I was always sort of exposed to news and the idea of news,” she says. That seed took root in high school, when she joined a local television program called Kaleidoscope, giving students a chance to produce real news segments broadcast into homes. “You’d anchor one month, report another. It was our own rotating newsroom.”
That formative experience led Carolina to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, where service was not just encouraged but expected. “Rockhurst really instilled service leadership in us,” she explains. “Harvesters was one of the first organizations I was introduced to. Whether it was through my sorority or other campus events, we often found ways to volunteer with them.”
After graduating, Carolina worked as a journalist across the country. Her experience covering diverse communities gives Carolina a rare, comprehensive view of how food insecurity manifests in different regions.
In South Texas, she reported from Hidalgo County—one of the most impoverished counties in the U.S.—where systemic wealth disparity leaves little room for food security. In Connecticut, a state with a more affluent reputation, she discovered hidden pockets of hunger and need, often overshadowed by appearances.
“I think that goes to show the complexity of the issue,” she says. “You could have somebody who’s doing fine but then lands in the hospital and ends up with a bunch of bills, and now they’re struggling to make ends meet. Or somebody who’s older, and it’s like, “Well, do I want to pay for my medication, or do I want to eat dinner? That’s just no position anyone should be in.”
Now rooted back in Kansas City and a Morning Anchor at KCTV5, Carolina brings this wealth of experience to our board.
“As a journalist, you get to report on so many stories when it comes to food insecurity,” she shares. “But even though you’re reporting on it, you don’t get to be an active participant in the solutions. I think being a board member really enables me to bring more creative and innovative ideas to the table.”
We’re thrilled to have Carolina as our newest board member and can’t wait to see all the ways she can partner with us to further our mission and show up for our neighbors!
