Todd DeVries

Board President

Todd has worked for more than 30 years with diverse groups. Most people will need to rely on others because of an accident, a natural or economic disaster, aging, or disability. Countering these risks are the powers of resilience, creativity, and new ways of thinking. Together, these strengths open doors to life’s possibilities. 

Todd is a licensed MSW and graduated as the oldest member of his class in 2017. He believes self-redefinition is not only possible, but essential in our fast-changing world! Areas of interest are in mindfulness and solution-focused therapies, community development and people experiencing life transitions. Todd has presented on disability and technology issues at local, state and national venues. 

Todd works as a therapist with Willow Sage Services and as the current chair of the boards of the Development Workshop and the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen. 

Todd spends free time kayaking, cross country skiing, experimenting with computers and how they change lives, reading books, listening to classical music, and interacting in meaningful ways with friends and neighbors. He enjoys making a good cup of coffee, Ruben sandwiches, baseball games, dinner out with friends, spending time at or on the ocean, and sleeping in a tent. 

Todd is blind. He uses a white cane, reads braille, owns lots of devices that talk, and hopes to be the first person in Idaho to own a self-driving car.

Suzanne Buchan

Treasurer

Alicia Buchan

Secretary

Reverend

Lea Colvill

The Rev. Lea Colvill is a native Montanan. She is a graduate of both the University of Montana and the University of the South.

The Rev. Lea Colvill is the Rector (Lead Pastor) of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Her family has lived in Idaho since 2017.  She is a member of the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen Board because it was founded by Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Lea Colvill talks to strangers, lives with her bicycle mechanic husband, teenage daughter and a large, brown, tabby cat called Digory. 

Patti Sherlock

Patti Sherlock writes middle grade, young adult, and nonfiction books. A beekeeper, she gives bee education programs in the schools. She has been a livestock 4-H leader and  served on the Bonneville County Fair Board.

She was a founding member of the Idaho Falls Outreach Center Board and charter member of the Idaho Falls NAACP. She volunteered at the Idaho Falls Food Bank, and the Soup Kitchen when it was in St. Mark’s basement. She has served as a team leader and Soup Kitchen board member.

Karen Lansing

Karen brings over 35 years of community service involvement to the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen board. Her community service activities began in Island Park where she served on the Planning and Zoning committee and Chamber of Commerce.

After moving to Idaho Falls in 1992 Karen became an active member of the Idaho Falls Realtor Association and founding board member of the Women’s Council of Realtors. During her twenty years as a Realtor Karen began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area. She initially served on the family selection committee and board of directors before becoming Habitat’s executive director in 2010. 

Cheryl Marie Zimmer,  M. ED

Cheryl has devoted her career to working with low/income first generation college students. Her tenure at Idaho State University Access and Opportunity programs spanned 25 years, which included grant writing, program development and leadership.

Her most recent role as Associate Director of Upward Bound programs included designing and executing a six- week academic residential program for 100 low/income first generation high school students. She also developed a Robotics program, which provided her Upward Bound Math Science students with access to high quality STEM programming.

She regularly volunteers at the soup kitchen as a cook, server or on the cleanup team. She is excited to be involved in the administration of the Soup Kitchen as a board member.  

Cheryl has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Education from Idaho State University.

Miranda Marquit, MBA

Miranda grew up in Idaho Falls, graduating from Skyline High School. Over the years, she’s been to college, received advanced degrees, and participated in a number of personal and professional endeavors. She is a nationally recognized financial expert, speaker, podcaster, and writer.

In addition to serving on the Soup Kitchen board, Miranda is involved with a number of other nonprofit organizations. She loves serving in the community, as well as taking advantage of the outdoor opportunities in the area.

Billie Call Nelson

Billie is a fourth generation Idahoan whose grandfather formed Farr Candy Company in 1911.  In her early years she worked in the ice cream and candy factory, sang in musical groups and graduated from Idaho Falls High School.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and while supporting her husband during law school worked in the banking industry.

Billie taught in elementary schools and has served in numerous capacities such as PTO President and chair of the IFHS Youth/Adult Leadership Council.  For several years Billie served on the East Idaho Grants Panel for the Idaho Community Foundation and with her husband has mentored numerous non-traditional students to obtain certificates and degrees from CEI and ISU.  

She served on the board of First Book and has assisted in a variety of reading programs for area youth.

In addition to church leadership positions Billie has served in many fund-raising campaigns for a variety of Idaho nonprofit organizations.  She is currently enjoying her service on the Soup Kitchen board and planning activities with her 6 children and 27 grandchildren.