Harriet McGowan is taking the battle against hunger head on.

The A.C. Flora High senior has been named to the 2012-13 Souper Bowl of Caring National Youth Advisory Board. As one of 11 student representatives to the Columbia-born national charity, McGowan will help raise awareness about hunger relief efforts and provide feedback and guidance to the Souper Bowl of Caring staff.

McGowan attended the Souper Bowl’s national youth leadership training retreat in Columbia earlier this month and will take part in future gatherings to learn more about advocating for the organization.

Youth advisory board members are chosen through a competitive national application process. McGowan was nominated by Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where she has been active many years.

“The most significant quality of her leadership is that it is marked by a love for others,” said the Rev. Jonathan Wagner, Eastminster’s associate pastor for senior high youth and their families. “She cares deeply about those around her and has a heart to serve them, especially those in the community who are in need.”

Souper Bowl of Caring mobilizes youth nationwide to collect food donations on or around Super Bowl Sunday. The donations go to the hunger relief charities selected by each participating group.

Red Cross taps new gifts officer

Courtney Melendez is the new major gifts officer for The American Red Cross Columbia Region, which serves 28 South Carolina counties.

Melendez is responsible for developing relationships with current and new Red Cross supporters to enhance the organization’s mission and services.

“Courtney is a tremendous asset to our financial development team,” said Adrienne Bellinger, regional chief development officer for the American Red Cross Columbia Region. “Her track record of fundraising success and experience in donor management and working with volunteers are critical to advancing our financial development program and the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross in the Columbia Region.”

Melendez most recently was director of community relations for The Cooperative Ministry, where she led development, marketing and communications initiatives and coordinated special events and volunteer opportunities. Before coming to the nonprofit sector, she was an account executive for Wentworth Printing.