Wendy Stein's involvement with New York Common Pantry began in 1992 when she became a volunteer at Thursday Pantry.  In 2001 Wendy was invited to join the Program Committee and the following year she was asked to join the Board of Directors.   She became head of the Program Committee in 2003 and participated on the Executive Committee, as well.  While serving on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair of the Board, Wendy originated the idea of building a new floor for pantry services as part of our renovation in 2006.  The renovation provided increased food storage space, enhanced kitchen space, a new welcome area for clients and guests and made the building accessible for handicapped individuals.  She received the Helene Abraham Volunteer Community Service Award at the Common Pantry's 2010 Spring Benefit and became the Chair of the Common Pantry’s Board of Directors in 2011.

Wendy is employed as a Curatorial Research Associate in the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Wendy is married to Bart Friedman, an attorney who serves on multiple non-profit and corporate Boards.   She is the mother of two sons, Ben and Jake Friedman, now in their twenties, both of whom have volunteered many times at the Pantry.

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