Meet Our Capital Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs

Rainier Valley Food Bank had a vision to build a new food bank space that could meet the needs of our growing community, one that is not only large enough to serve more neighbors, but also a space that’s beautiful, respectful, and dignified. Bringing this vision to life has a $17 Million price tag, and we are deeply grateful to be successfully raising these funds through the support of our incredible community.

As we continue reflecting on the many folks who helped bring our new facility to fruition, we want to highlight a group of beloved and respected community members who have helped shape and support this effort: our Capital Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs. Their leadership, influence, and deep connection to community are helping us close out our Room for All Capital Campaign.

While the building is now complete, open, and paid for, the remaining $3 Million of this campaign will support funding current program expansion, new programming, and ongoing building maintenance –– ensuring that this space, and the programs within it, can thrive for years to come.

As we work toward raising the final $3 million, we’re honored to introduce you to our Capital Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs.

Becky Selengut

Meet Becky! Becky is an Author, Instructor, Consultant, and Private Chef based in Seattle. Her books include Misunderstood Vegetables, How to Taste, Shroom, Good Fish, and Not One Shrine. She is a former Adjunct Professor in the Culinary/Nutrition Department at Bastyr University and has taught for PCC Natural Markets (2004-2017) and The Pantry (2011-2021). Becky’s passion for cooking and feeding the community fits into every facet of RVFB where she volunteers packing bags, donates homegrown produce, and speaks at our events. We’re so grateful to have her passion, expertise, and dedication to food justice supporting our work.   

“Working with RVFB has brought me closer to my neighbors and has enabled me to tap into the wealth of compassionate community around us. Feeding people is what I do as a chef and helping put food on the plates of my neighbors alongside people in my community feels fulfilling in ways I can’t even describe. There is much joy at RVFB and so much love when we look out for one another. That’s why I show up.”

Brad Goode

Meet Brad! Brad is an award-winning newsman and TV host with over 30 years of experience. Now the Senior VP of Marketing, Communications, and Community Relations at Washington Federal Bank, Brad also spends his spare time engaging in his passion for fundraising. He’s a highly sought after charity benefit auctioneer and consultant and has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for great organizations across the West Coast. RVFB is lucky to have his passion, energy, and experience helping raise awareness of our vision for ending hunger in Seattle.   

“Food insecurity in our society is a travesty that needs everybody’s attention. It’s a privilege to team up with the Rainier Valley Food Bank in assisting our community with quality food for those in need and delivering it with dignity to these families. It’s my goal to help us over-achieve the Rainier Valley Food Bank’s goal for its Abundance Fund Campaign.”   

Melissa Miranda 

Meet Melissa! Owner and Chef at Musang and Kilig, Melissa has built a reputation not only as an incredible chef and successful business owner, but also as a community leader dedicated to supporting food access. She provided free meals to the community during the COVID lockdown and continues to work toward ending hunger in Seattle. We are grateful that she’s sharing her vision and energy with us.  

“I am volunteering my time and efforts with the Rainier Valley Food Bank because I believe everyone deserves reliable access to nourishing food and the dignity that comes with it. This community has given me so much, and supporting the food bank is a meaningful way to give back—helping neighbors, strengthening connections, and working toward a more equitable food system. Contributing my skills and energy to this mission allows me to be part of real, tangible change, one meal and one family at a time.” 

Rosamond (Roz) Edison

Meet Roz! Owner and Chef of Marination, a group of delicious restaurants in Seattle, Roz has led Marination not only in creating tasty food, but in community engagement as well. Marination is always raising money and awareness through their businesses, and Roz has earned a strong reputation as a community leader. We’re so grateful that Roz is using her influence and energy to support RVFB.    

“The Rainier Valley Food Bank is a bright light in some dark times. Food is a basic human right, and with so many other rights fading, the work of RVFB becomes all that more vital. I am grateful that an organization of this caliber is supporting the community I live in and work in.”  

Linda Breneman 

Meet Linda! She is a force in the arts and civic engagement community and is the Co-Founder of the Richard Hugo House. Linda came to RVFB in 202 wanting to lend a hand in ending hunger and went on to serve as Co-Chair of our Capital Campaign, helping lead efforts that raised millions towards this project. As an Honorary Co-Chair, Linda continues to raise awareness about food security to new audiences, ensuring our community of support grows with us.

“When I heard that Rainier Valley Food Bank serves 25% of the people who go to food banks in Seattle, I knew I had to get involved. I'm proud to support a project that helps so many people in so many ways--with food and with wrap-around services in a welcoming new space.” 

Maria Kolby-Wolfe 

Meet Maria! Maria is the CEO of the WA Women’s Foundation and a part-time instructor in Nonprofit Management at the University of Washington. A Columbia City resident with a long and successful career in nonprofit management and fundraising, Maria has also spent time as a RVFB Board Member. As Honorary Co-Chair of our Capital Campaign, she helped set our vision for the new building and the future of the food bank. We’re thrilled to have Maria lend her skills and experience in making changes to support our vision of a hunger free South Seattle.

“Food connects us to joy, memory, and each other, and I want that sense of belonging for everyone. That’s why Rainier Valley Food Bank means so much to me. RVFB isn’t just about food—it’s about dignity, care, and community, and where love is served alongside nourishment. And what a beautiful thing it is to have a place right in our neighborhood where that love is shared freely.”