As we approach this season of reflection and thanksgiving, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support and dedication to helping us end hunger in our local communities. This time of year naturally draws our focus toward the things we cherish, and I am reminded of the remarkable impact we have achieved together.
Here I am thinking specifically of the 1,971 community volunteers who donated an astounding 18,667 hours of service to support our work over the past year. Some of you are in this audience. I’m thinking about the financial gifts, both big and small, that increased our capacity to work with our hunger-relief partners in new ways. I’m thinking about the collective power of community and how excited I am to be a part of finding out what we can create together.
While this year has had its fair share of challenges like increased food cost, increased demand, and decreasing donations, I still believe that with your support, we can end hunger. We can feed people nutritious food. We can be a part of what makes our communities stronger. And as we move into the weeks ahead, being particularly aware of the fact that no one should have to worry about where they will find their next meal. I hope that you will join our efforts in whatever way you can.
I am grateful for each of you — your kindness, your compassion, and your belief in our work. As we gather with loved ones this season, please know that your generosity is making a tangible difference in the lives of many.
Warm wishes,
Chris Ford
CEO