Molly Bishop Honored as Woman of Distinction by Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker

Heart of the Hamptons Executive Director Molly Bishop was recently recognized for her work running the nonprofit’s food pantry in Southampton Village by being named a Woman of Distinction by Suffolk 2nd District Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker.

She was fêted at the Woman of Distinction Luncheon earlier this month in Hauppauge. The luncheon is held every year, with one woman from each district in the county selected by the legislators. The award is handed out to women who show dedication to their communities in a variety of ways.

“I’m so honored that Ann selected me,” Bishop said. “It was really special. Ann is such a wonderful member of the community, and she’s been to the pantry a few times to help out. It’s really nice she was able to extend that honor to me and give us exposure for everything we’re doing.”

Before she became the executive director of Heart of the Hamptons, Bishop was doing other nonprofit work in the area, including with the Sag Harbor Partnership, which helped rebuild the Sag Harbor Cinema and preserve the Steinbeck House.

Taking the job with Heart of the Hamptons gave Bishop the opportunity to get up close and personal with community members in need and help make a positive impact on their lives.

“I spent most of my career doing mostly fundraising and community building, so this certainly has a lot of that responsibility as well, but also the hands-on aspect is so nice,” she said. “It makes it all feel so much more special.”

The job can be more emotionally taxing than her previous work, Bishop admitted, especially during a time when food insecurity continues to rise with no end in sight. But she keeps it all in perspective.

“We can provide certain comforts to people, but sometimes, the things they’re going through, you can’t change,” she said. “To see suffering on that level sometimes is hard. It makes you very, very grateful for even the simplest things in life.

“But there’s the joy, too, of seeing someone get through something hard,” she added. “Maybe someone was served with divorce papers or they’re worried about getting deported, or just found out they’re sick, and then you see them come out the other side.”

Welker spoke about why she wanted to honor Bishop. She pointed out that in doing the work she does, Bishop is “continuing a strong family tradition of service to our community, following the lead of both her dad and her mom.”

Her father is Tim Bishop, the former U.S. Representative for the East End and former provost of Southampton College, and her mother is Kathryn Bishop, the director and founder of The Children’s School early childhood program.

“Molly, along with a small staff and an amazing group of volunteers, do an outstanding job of providing so much for so many on the East End,” she said. “If one drives along Hill Street on a Wednesday or Friday morning and sees the line of cars waiting patiently, one realizes the enormous need that exists and the vital role that the food pantry at Heart of the Hamptons plays in our community.

“Molly is incredibly well deserving of the Woman of Distinction nomination by the Suffolk County Legislature,” she continued. “Heart of the Hamptons is a critically important organization led by an impressive woman. Our community has much to be grateful for with Molly at the helm of Heart of the Hamptons.”