Highlighting Our Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
As our Room for All capital campaign that brought about our new Community Food Hub comes closer to completion, we’re reflecting on all of the folks who have helped bring our new facility to fruition. It’s taken a lot of time, partnership, and leadership. Among those guiding the way are our incredible co-chairs who have been part of our community for several years. Together they’ve stewarded our work, helping to organize and guide our fundraising efforts.
Jennifer Worth
Meet Jen! Jen has been part of RVFB for over a decade! As a longtime neighbor, she began volunteering in 2012 out of a desire to help her community. After a few years, she joined the board and eventually became a chair. Jen has been involved with the capital campaign since the very beginning; with deep connections in the community, she is the glue that helps keep everything together. Having seen the food bank grow and change over the years, Jen’s vision and dedication continue to inspire and guide our work. With her calm and welcoming presence, she helps keep us organized, focused, and moving forward.
“From my experience, food is community, food is identity, food is love — sharing a meal with friends and family deepens connections and creates new memories. Sharing a meal with someone also allows me to learn about them and uncover ways to work together to build a stronger community. I support RVFB as I firmly believe everyone deserves the ability to access culturally relevant food to share with friends, family and community and to be connected to any assistance they need to thrive as member of the community.”
Calandra Childers
Meet Calandra! Calandra has been a dedicated member of our RVFB community for many years. As a longtime neighbor, she began volunteering at the food bank in 2016 after seeing the line of guests that stretched along Rainier Ave at our old facility on grocery shopping days. She later joined the Development Committee, putting her storytelling skills to work to help position the food bank, and eventually becoming a board member and co-chair. With a professional background in arts funding, Calandra currently works at 4Culture, a government organization that supports public arts. She is always out in the Seattle community and whenever she comes across conversations about food insecurity, she makes a point to share information about RVFB and our work. Calandra has introduced so many people to our food bank community, always representing us with care and helping RVFB show up in the best light way.
“The time and energy I spend at Rainier Valley Food Bank means that more people who need food, get food. It's incredibly simple and incredibly rewarding. Rainier Valley Food Bank makes our neighborhood a better place. I'm so proud to work on this project that has created a more dignified space with more capacity to serve and more resources to address hunger and food insecurity. Along with the provision of food, we're also digging into the root causes and working to address why so many families in South Seattle are here in the first place.”
