Good Shepherd Food Bank CEO to Leave at Year-End
Dr. Rick Small led the organization through a period of significant growth
AUBURN, Maine – The board of directors of Good Shepherd Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, has accepted the resignation of President and CEO Dr. Rick Small. Small, who has led Good Shepherd for the past five and a half years, will step down at the end of the year.
“Rick Small has led Good Shepherd through a time of significant growth and change, and we are profoundly grateful for his leadership and dedication to feeding Maine’s hungry,” said Diane Dunton Bruni, board chair.
During Small’s tenure the amount of food the Food Bank acquires and distributes to 600 partner agencies throughout Maine has grown from nearly nine million pounds a year to just under 13 million pounds, but the need for food to feed Maine’s hungry continues to grow.
“I will be leaving Good Shepherd Food Bank to utilize my skills and abilities in another substantial challenge to round out my career,” said Small. “The Food Bank will always remain close to my heart and I will support this great organization in all ways that are possible.”
Bruni said the board will lead the transition to new leadership and will immediately begin a nationwide search for a new CEO. She said that the Food Bank has a strong staff and important relationships throughout Maine with food sellers and producers, donors, community and business leaders, government agencies and the hundreds of local nonprofit and faith-based organizations that partner with Good Shepherd Food Bank in the fight against hunger.
According to the most recent USDA statistics on food security in the U.S., in 2010 49 million Americans (14.6 percent) lived in food insecure households. In Maine, 200,000 individuals, or 15.4 percent of households, were food insecure.
“Thousands of Maine families have food to eat each day because of the work of our dedicated staff, partners, and many generous donors,” said Bruni, “but the need is greater than ever, as are the challenges we face in acquiring enough nutritious food to feed our neighbors who are hungry.”
About Good Shepherd Food-Bank
The largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food-Bank provides for those at risk of hunger by soliciting and distributing surplus food to more than 600 partner agencies. Since 1981, the Food-Bank has partnered with individuals, businesses and farmers to alleviate hunger and build community relationships. In 2010 the Food-Bank distributed nearly 13 million pounds of food to families and individuals throughout Maine. Web site: www.gsfb.org. Phone: (207) 782-3554. Facebook: www.facebook.com/feedingmaine Twitter: www.twitter.com/feedingmaine