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The 2024 John van Hengel Fellowship Award Is Announced

VERONA, Va, (May 17, 2024)—Michael McKee, CEO of Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, was honored with the 2024 John van Hengel Fellowship Award by Feeding America during the organization’s annual conference in April.

The John van Hengel Fellowship Award is the highest honor in food banking. It is a lifetime achievement award intended to be the crowning honor of a winner’s career in food banking and serving people and communities living with hunger.

The award honors the ideals of the late John van Hengel, commonly known as the “Father of Food Banking,” who developed the concept of food banking in the 1960s. It recognizes an executive of a partner food bank for excellence in leadership, local impact and national influence, and entrepreneurial spirit in the area of hunger relief.

Michael McKee has served the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (Food Bank) as CEO for more than 10 years and has worked in food banking for 14 years. Under his leadership, the Food Bank has experienced immense growth–from program initiatives to staffing and warehouse capacity and much more. McKee has developed a guest-centric approach to identifying critical areas of focus for the Food Bank’s work. That approach led the Food Bank to pursue strategic goals to eliminate disparities in access to nutritious food, improve the health of neighbors, support household financial stability, and maintain a strong and sustainable food bank.

Michael has also served as board chair for the Federation of Virginia Food Banks for three separate terms over 10 years, championing the needs of neighbors, partners, and the food bank itself.

“Michael exemplifies the values of the Jon van Hengel Fellowship Award through his foresight, stewardship, and commitment to mission,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Michael leads with a servant’s heart, with passion, and with vision. His work is grounded in his fervent belief that everyone should have enough to eat. Of particular note has been his work on nutrition and health and a long-term approach to benefits outreach and referral services. This innovative work provides a powerful template for the network. Congratulations, Michael, and thank you for all you do.”

“I am in awe of how Michael leads. He understands and values the importance of collegiality, curiosity, and collaboration. He is a strategic thinker who also picks up a paintbrush to spruce up the warehouse when needed. He understands that everyone within the Food Bank and its network is important in advancing our mission. Michael leads with passion and compassion,” said Hatsy Vallar, Chair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Board of Directors.

Michael said that receiving the award was a “humbling experience, but most importantly, this award is a reflection of the work we all do, together.”

The Food Bank’s combined warehouse capacity has grown from 59,000 square feet to 81,000 square feet during Michael’s tenure as CEO. And the Food Bank is on track to distribute close to 30 million pounds of food this fiscal year, double the volume of 10 years ago.

The Fellowship is awarded by the National Council (NAC), the elected body of representatives and appointed Feeding America National Organization (FANO) staff charged with representing the Feeding America Network. Elected and appointed representatives serve all food bank members as their constituents, as well as their food bank regions. The NAC facilitates collaboration among FANO and partner food banks, together comprising “the Network,” in order to develop and advance aligned strategies that support a shared vision for a hunger-free America.

The National Council presents the John van Hengel Fellowship Award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence throughout their career in qualities that helped John van Hengel launch the food banking movement and that are embedded in their network charter – namely, community engagement, innovation, collaboration, inspiring others, building organizational and community capacity, and advancing equity in everything we do.

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Verona, Virginia, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in western and central Virginia. The Food Bank receives an average of 127,500 guest visits per month, serving 25 counties and eight cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and Verona. We’re serving record numbers of Virginians through our network of more than 400 community partners, which includes food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, libraries, healthcare clinics, community centers, and more.

We pledge to continue innovating and adapting to secure, store, and distribute more food to more individuals, families, children, and seniors experiencing hunger. The Food Bank is a partner food bank of Feeding America®, a national association with a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries, and meal programs. Last year, this charitable food assistance network helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people facing food insecurity. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.

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