Blawnox food pantry to remain under current leadership after borough manager retires

As Blawnox officials continue to search for a new borough manager, its current one has secured her “retirement” plans.

Kathy Ulanowicz plans to step down as top administrator at the end of this year. She announced her retirement in July.

She asked council earlier this month if she could continue to manage the borough’s food pantry and the request was granted.

“I think that would be great,” council president Deborah Laskey said Aug. 18. “She’s still part of the community and I think that’s something that she wants to do. It’s her passion and I have no problem with that. She’s there when the food is distributed and she sees the people in need. She has a heart of gold.”

Laskey said one of Ulanowicz’s strengths was her desire to learn and continue moving up the administrative ladder.

“Anything she may not have known about, she asked,” Laskey said. “She was not afraid to take the reins and go with it.”

Food pantry development

The borough pantry on the second floor of the borough building at 376 Freeport Road was created by Ulanowicz and Assistant Manager Mallori McDowell in October 2023.

The pair worked for months renovating the space and gathering supplies when not handling borough business.

As needs continued to rise, so did the support — with more people wanting to get involved and finding ways to help residents.

The pantry went from serving about 14 people on its first day to 40-45 people monthly.

Patrons did not need to provide proof of residency or income. That policy continues.

It is open on the last Friday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the volunteers that I have,” Ulanowicz said.

Ulanowicz has been the borough manager since 2019. She started as a part-time office employee in 2008 and became assistant borough manager in 2017. She also served as the borough’s tax collector from 1998 to 2019.

A 1979 Fox Chapel Area graduate and Blawnox native, Ulanowicz had said she wants to travel and spend more time with her family.

“I will still be doing those other retirement things,” she said. “The pantry will not be a full-time job. This pantry was my dream, and it has been fulfilled. I really want to see it continue. I love working with the volunteers and being able to be a part of the community. I know there’s a need that we’re able to help with. The food pantry brings me joy.”

The Blawnox pantry is not affiliated with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Ulanowicz said things have been going very well and organizers believe they do not need their assistance just yet.

People can drop off donations for the pantry at the borough office during normal business hours.

Items in most need include paper products, peanut butter, laundry soap, dish soap, tomato sauce and monetary contributions.

Volunteers in the coming months will be moving the pantry to the first floor into the former administrative offices, which are now located in the old Blawnox police station.

Blawnox Police Department was absorbed by O’Hara Township Police last year as part of a merger.

Several borough officers, including then Chief Patrick Goodman, joined the township force as part of the process.

O’Hara began formally patrolling Blawnox streets in January.

The food pantry move essentially doubles its storage space and makes it easier for distribution.

The current pantry space is so small that families go in one at a time to shop.

People take the stairs or the elevator to the second floor and wait in council chambers for their number to be called.

Ulanowicz plans to apply for 501(c)(3) charity status for the food pantry next year. If approved, the nonprofit designation would allow it to seek more fundraising opportunities.

Search continues

Meanwhile, the search for Ulanowicz’s replacement continues.

The State Department of Community & Economic Development is assisting in the search and screening process at no cost to the borough.

Resumes are being received through the end of August. They can be emailed to DCED local government policy specialist George Newsome at gnewsome@pa.gov.

Laskey said she learned of the state services at an event in March. DCED officials made a presentation at the July 9 council meeting about government services and offerings available.

“If you have a resource out there, you might as well use it,” Laskey said. “Every little bit helps.”

Council would ultimately make the hiring decision. The hope is to narrow down candidates next month and hire someone in October or November so Ulanowicz can help with the transition.

“I want someone to be able to interact with our residents,” Laskey said about the future manager. “I need someone who can handle the operations of the borough, be able to report back to us as to what is going on and keep the flow going.”

At least 26 people have applied for the position as of late July.

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public or business administration, finance, planning or related field is required. Knowledge of Pennsylvania borough code, local government practices, experience in budgeting, staff supervision and policy implementation is also required. Grant writing, economic development and strategic planning is preferred.

Council budgeted nearly $69,000 for a borough manager in 2024. The estimated salary this year is a little more than $70,000. The salary will be a topic of discussion at budget meetings later this year.