Press Release from LIFE announces search for New Executive Director

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (September 18, 2025) – The Loveland Inter Faith Effort (LIFE Food Pantry) board of directors has accepted the resignation of Linda Bergholz and is in the beginning stages of a search for the next Executive Director of the LIFE Food Pantry.

Linda Bergholz – resigned Executive Director, LIFE Food Pantry (File photo Chuck Gibson)

The announcement of Bergholz’s resignation and the beginning of a search for her replacement as Executive Director for LIFE Food Pantry was issued in a press release by the non-profit mid-afternoon today, Thursday, September 18, 2025. Her resignation follows a firestorm surrounding inflammatory comments she posted on social media in reference to the assassination of Charlie Kirk one week ago. Screenshots of her comment, which seemed to celebrate the killing of Kirk, were shared and posted on social media sites multiple times throughout the community heavily criticizing Bergholz and calling for LIFE Food Pantry leadership to take action. On the morning of September 16th, LIFE Food Pantry posted the following statement on their Facebook account:  

“We are aware of concerning posts an employee made. Our board of directors has placed the employee on leave and is investigating this serious matter thoroughly. LIFE Food Pantry does not endorse violence or hate”

Since that time, members of the Loveland Inter Faith Effort Board of Directors met several times in an effort to thoroughly investigate the matter. They met again Wednesday evening, September 17, 2025 to determine the final outcome and next steps forward. Following that meeting, the LIFE board issued the following Press Release announcing the start of a search for a New Executive Director in light of the acceptance of the resignation of Linda Bergholz.

Here is the complete text of the Press Release from Loveland Inter Faith Effort:

LIFE Food Pantry Begins Search for New Executive Director

Loveland, OH – September 18, 2025 – The board of directors at Loveland Inter Faith Effort Food Pantry (LIFE Food Pantry) is beginning its search for the non-profit’s next executive director.

Linda Bergholz, who served as LIFE Food Pantry’s executive director, resigned from her position on September 17, 2025, after providing ten years of service that included:

  • Developing the organization and adapting it to better meet the community’s needs.
  • Implementing a client choice food pantry model to offer people the dignity to select their own food.
  • Managing day-to-day operations, staff, and volunteers.

“It was my honor to lead and grow this organization for the last decade,” Bergholz said in a statement to LIFE Food Pantry’s board of directors.

Connie Rotterman, president of LIFE Food Pantry’s board of directors, said the organization is grateful to Bergholz for her consistent dedication to ending food insecurity in the community.

“Linda was instrumental in guiding LIFE Food Pantry to where we are today. Her efforts are a big part of why we’re able to provide a safe, welcoming environment for people in need and serve more people in the community than ever before. We wish Linda only the best.” – Connie Rotterman 

Loveland Beacon spoke with Eric Neuville, LIFE Board Member regarding the process which led to the announcement of the resignation of Linda Bergholz and the  search for the next Executive Director of the LIFE Food Pantry. He was clear the last couple of days and meetings have been difficult. He admitted some people were very aware of the comments, but at the same time, a majority of people he talked with did not even know about the social media firestorm over the comments.

“Instead of getting into all of that which reignites this whole hysteria, we just wanted people to know exactly what the press release says: we are looking for a new Executive Director and Linda has resigned,” said Neuville. “ We didn’t have to go out and ask her to do anything. She voluntarily resigned. We’re thankful for all the work she did. We’re just ready to move on.”

Loveland Beacon has reached out to Linda Bergholz for her comments. At the time of publication of this story, she has not responded. When, and if she does respond, Loveland Beacon will share her comments. For now LIFE Food Pantry is focused on beginning the search for the next Executive Director to fill the vacancy left by her resignation. No announcement of an interim director was included in the press release. That is still to be determined.

“We are in discussions for that,” Neuville said. “We are close to getting a person, a volunteer for that. There will be an announcement for the naming of the interim director.” 

Neuville said an announcement is imminent. Again, once that announcement is made, Loveland Beacon will share it with you.

ABOUT LIFE FOOD PANTRY

LIFE Food Pantry, located at located at 677 Loveland Madeira Rd., Loveland, OH 45140, is dedicated to providing nutritious food and compassionate support to individuals and families in need. We empower them to thrive and build a stronger, healthier community. LIFE Food Pantry uses 89 cents of every dollar to serve people who need assistance. LIFE Food Pantry does not receive federal, state, or local government funding. Visit lifefoodpantry.org for more information.