The Emergency Food Network of Pierce County welcomes new Development Director Jeff Klein. Jeff is a recent arrival from Pennsylvania where he directed a nonprofit K-8 school in the town of Williamsport. He brings a background in youth-oriented nonprofit management and human services experience to his work at EFN. He moved here with his daughter, Lily.
“I moved to Pierce County in late June,” says Klein. “One thing I have noticed since my arrival is the welcoming attitude of folks in the northwest and a real commitment to finding creative and collaborative approaches to building sustainable communities, both through ideas, collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit partnerships, and philanthropic support. This is extremely important since the need for services has increased.”
Started in 1982, EFN’s mission is to provide a reliable food supply so that no person in Pierce County goes hungry. EFN meets that mission by operating a food distribution center, a farm, and an orchard, distributing over 10 million pounds of food to food banks and hot meal sites throughout Pierce County.
“I enjoy networking and promoting programs, but I need to feel attached to the mission of an organization to truly work to the best of my abilities,” says Klein. “I cannot think of any area that I would rather focus on than working with our food bank partners to distribute food to those who need access to nutritious meals.”
Jeff joins with new Executive Director Helen McGovern at a critical time, when the need for emergency food is increasing at dramatic levels. Use of food banks grew 22% from 2007 to 2008. Some local food banks are reporting a 34% increase in use since January. Fall is event season at EFN. In addition to writing grants working to increase volunteerism, and boosting EFN’s profile in the community, Jeff will work to promote the 2009 Hunger Walk, sponsored by Associate Ministries, the 13th annual Empty Bowls event, and will coordinate this year’s Abundance auction at the Hotel Murano. For more information on EFN and how to get involved, visit the website: www.efoodnet.org.
Print This Post