Executive Director's Message

Please Click Here to Read Andrew's 2007 Annual Meeting Speech

Andrew joined the Food Bank as Executive Director in May 2007.

I can’t imagine a mission more basic than that of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank… providing quality food to individuals and families facing hunger.  I walked into my new role as Executive Director at the Food Bank with full understanding of the awesome responsibility before me, and in full recognition of the great privilege that I have been granted.  Every day, the Food Bank ensures that nutritious meals reach those most in need, and the people that make those meals possible – our staff, our Member Agencies, our Board members, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of supporters – are absolutely dedicated to this mission.  It is my honor to work with them and you…and to bring my own energy and excitement to support our critical cause.

Early in my career, working with low-income families at a community health center, I was struck by how many patients could not afford to meet their basic needs.  I soon realized that this had severe consequences for their health and well-being.  Too often, I witnessed the enormous stress endured by parents unable to feed their children.

These experiences, nearly twenty years ago, motivated me to become involved in anti-hunger work.  I was also deeply influenced by volunteering at a food pantry.  I remember one time in particular that I volunteered with my daughter Hannah who was 8 years old at the time.  Our task was to bag donated food for a family that would come later to pick it up.  The food pantry gave us a card that described the family and their food preferences.  At the top of the card, it stated simply, “Two parents and two children, ages 12 and 8.”  Hannah looked at me and said, “Dad, that’s just like us.”

With that comment, she knocked down any wall that stood between the two of us and the family that we were there to help.  And she taught me an important lesson that has been confirmed for me again and again.  The more you learn about the needs of hungry people and who they are, the more you realize that they are “just like us.”

Over the next year, I expect to learn much more about the needs of hungry people in Rhode Island.  If you have ideas or suggestions, I hope that you will write to me at the Food Bank.  Together with the Food Bank, you have already made great strides toward the ultimate goal of ending hunger.  There is still much more to do…and I look forward to joining you in this vital and important work.