The White Center Food Bank (WCFB) Board of Directors this week announced that Carmen Smith will be the new Executive Director of the organization.

Carmen joined the local non-profit in February 2017 as Community Outreach Manager where she worked her way up through organization development and community engagement division before moving into an Associate Executive Director and then Interim Executive Director for the last several months. Carmen comes to us with a robust background in food equity.

From her experience working with international hunger relief organizations to grassroots nonprofits in food justice, she knows that relationships are the most vital part of any organization. Carmen has her Master’s in Public Administration from the Maxwell School.

As the Executive Director, she brings this understanding to nurture invaluable partnerships for the White Center Food Bank. The WCFB is amidst several projects, including finding a new location, Carmen’s leadership in this important work has already proven invaluable.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, please join us in welcoming Carmen to her new role as the Executive Director. Her passion and dedication to the work at hand is obvious and inspiring.” states Gabbi Gonzales, White Center Food Bank Board President.

ABOUT THE WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK
The White Center Food Bank began in the mid-1970’s as an emergency response to assist struggling families and individuals in the greater White Center and Highline areas during a major economic downturn. Much like today, many in the community were facing difficult economic conditions that left them in need of food resources.

In 1982 the White Center Emergency Food Association was formally incorporated and is today known as the White Center Food Bank, serving 71,560 individuals (23,493 families) in 2020. White Center as a geographic area has been subject to many changes in its micro- economic climate from influxes and growth of various immigrant groups to periods of rebirth in its business core. Current programs include daytime, and seniors-only food distributions; expanded home deliveries; Mobile Food Bank Program for seniors and disabled clients; a Baby Pantry for diapers, formula, baby foods and more; culturally relevant food grown onsite; community demonstration gardens and P-patches, cultural foods buying program, and grocery rescue. Intake services are provided in seven languages, and all written materials are provided in six languages.

More info here: https://www.whitecenterfoodbank.org.