Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated community members who guide our mission, ensure accountability, and help Hometown Hearts serve families across our region.
Board Officers
Michele Rupert
President / Treasurer
Michele Rupert has been involved with Hometown Hearts for nearly ten years and serves as President and Treasurer. She currently works from home and cares for her granddaughter three days a week, and she previously operated a state-licensed daycare and preschool in her home for 31 years. Michele comes from a family with generations of service to the Huntingdon community and views helping others as a core part of who she is. She was able to build Hometown Hearts alongside her best friend and takes great pride in the organization’s welcoming, judgment-free environment. What she enjoys most is working with volunteers and seeing the smiles of those the organization serves, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable, worthy, and never embarrassed when attending meals. Michele hopes to expand Hometown Hearts’ capabilities and programs beyond food insecurity to help others in additional ways. She has lived in Huntingdon her entire life and is a third-generation resident, as well as the third generation to live in the house built by her grandparents. Michele is married and has four sons, each pursuing their own paths, and is a proud grandmother to her granddaughter, Micah. In her free time, she enjoys puzzles, reading, and spending time with family.
Amy Yocum
Vice President
Amy Yocum serves as Vice President of Hometown Hearts and has been involved since its inception as a co-founder. She has worked as a church secretary for more than 30 combined years at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. James Lutheran Church and is also a manager at a local seasonal eatery, Backwoods Smoke Shack. After taking over and operating as directors of the local Soup Kitchen, Amy and Michele recognized the need for meaningful change and co-founded Hometown Hearts to better serve the community. Amy most enjoys helping guests and building lasting friendships through the organization. She hopes to see Hometown Hearts continue to grow into a well-known nonprofit that can reach even more people in need. Amy has lived in the area since 1984 and appreciates the beauty of the region, including the mountains, lakes, and state parks. She is married and is blessed with three children, a son-in-law, a future daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. Outside of volunteering, Amy enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, relaxing at Raystown Lake in the summer, and escaping to Florida during the winter. She also shares a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and can speak a little of the language.
Patricia Clippinger
Secretary
Patricia Clippinger has served as Secretary of Hometown Hearts for more than four years. Now retired, she became involved after being asked to help with the distribution of food and other resources and quickly found fulfillment in the work. What Patricia enjoys most is meeting and helping people in the community, as well as being part of a close, caring environment. She hopes to see Hometown Hearts continue meeting the needs of the community well into the future. Patricia has lived in the area for five years and values the sense of closeness and care found within the community. In her free time, she enjoys thrift shopping.
Jim Kalos
Community Outreach Liaison
Jim Kalos serves as Community Outreach Liaison for Hometown Hearts and is deeply committed to making sure people in the community feel seen, supported, and welcomed. With a background in education, instructional design, and community-focused work, Jim brings a strong emphasis on communication, accessibility, and thoughtful outreach. He believes that no one should ever feel hesitant or embarrassed about asking for help, and he works to ensure that Hometown Hearts is known not just as a resource, but as a place rooted in compassion and dignity. Jim values the heart behind the organization’s mission and takes pride in helping strengthen connections between volunteers, partners, and the families Hometown Hearts serves.
Board Members
Ken Ley
Ken Ley has been a board member of Hometown Hearts for about a year and brings a quiet, behind-the-scenes dedication to the organization’s mission. Much of Ken’s professional background is in logistics and transportation, and he was drawn to Hometown Hearts by the idea of helping others in a meaningful but humble way. What he enjoys most is working alongside friends who share the same commitment to supporting the community. Ken hopes to see more people in the community become aware that Hometown Hearts is here for them and looks forward to the organization continuing to grow and expand its reach. Ken originally moved away from Huntingdon County in 1990 when he joined the Army and returned in 2024 following his father’s passing. He feels deeply connected to the area and considers the ridges one of the best places to live. In his free time, Ken enjoys riding his motorcycle and participating in veterans’ awareness events and rides, and he’s always ready with a good dad joke.
D. Anthony Bullett
D. Anthony Bullett has been a board member of Hometown Hearts since its inception more than five years ago. He is a former public finance professional and currently works as a church musician, bringing both organizational experience and creativity to the board. Anthony was motivated to join Hometown Hearts by a strong desire to care for the community and values the camaraderie, fellowship, and sense of shared purpose among volunteers. He hopes to see Hometown Hearts one day establish its own centrally located facility to better serve families in need. Anthony has lived in the area for a total of 39 years, having spent 25 years living elsewhere, and considers this community home. He is single and enjoys playing the piano in his free time. One accomplishment he is particularly proud of is being instrumental in the passage of an inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance in Huntingdon.
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Charles Clippinger
Charles Clippinger has been a board member of Hometown Hearts for more than four years. His professional background includes many years in the electronics industry, followed by work as a farmer, and he is now retired. Charles became involved with Hometown Hearts through volunteering and quickly discovered how much he enjoyed the experience, particularly meeting people and having meaningful conversations within the community. He hopes to see Hometown Hearts continue meeting the needs of individuals and families well into the future. Charles worked for 35 years in Huntingdon County and considers it home. In his free time, he enjoys visiting flea markets and thrift stores.