Blue Ridge Area Food Bank CEO Michael McKee is the 2024 recipient of the John van Hengel Fellowship Award. That award, commonly referred to as the highest honor in food banking, recognizes a food bank executive in the Feeding America network for excellence in leadership, local impact, national influence, and entrepreneurial spirit in the area of hunger relief.

Seven years ago, I started my tenure on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. I feel honored to play my part in plotting a course for the future of this wonderful, impactful organization with a mission that I so wholeheartedly support. During that time, I have learned a great deal about how food insecurity impacts our communities.

In this role and as a volunteer at Loaves & Fishes, one of the largest food pantries in Charlottesville, I have a front-row seat to the great work being done in our charitable food network. This process plays out in communities not just in our backyard, but across the country. What we do together matters.

As a board member, I also have a front-row seat to see how Michael McKee has been and is leading the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Thanks to his exceptional leadership over the past decade, I can say with confidence, and pride, that this food bank is well ahead of many of its peer organizations. I can think of many examples where that is the case.

Under his leadership, for example, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank partnered with James Madison University to develop Nourish, a food-scoring software that allows us to rate the quality of the food we receive and distribute. This partnership came to fruition because Michael recognized early on that food banks have an important role to play in advancing good health and nutritious foods. Nourish is now being used by our sister food banks across the state.

Or I can point to how Michael is spearheading efforts to boldly go where this food bank has not gone before, such as forging new and innovative partnerships with community organizations to reach underserved populations. Increasingly, we are partnering with schools and healthcare providers and bringing them into the fold of our network. And always, as anchored by our strategic goals, the focus is on providing nutritious food and keeping our guests at the center of everything we plan and do.

During Michael’s tenure, we have seen many more of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity. To meet that growing need, the Food Bank grew.The number of staff has almost doubled since he became CEO in 2013. Our combined warehouse capacity has grown from 59,000 square feet to 81,000 square feet during that same timeframe, and we are on track to distribute close to 30 million pounds of food this fiscal year, double the volume of 10 years ago.

But above all, 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 if called upon. He understands that everyone within the Food Bank and its network has an important role to play in advancing our mission. He leads with passion and compassion.

It is safe to say that this Food Bank and its network would not be what it is today without his leadership, guidance, and forward-thinking spirit. Michael McKee is a visionary and well-deserving of the John van Hengel Fellowship Award.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend my congratulations to Michael. This award is a testament to him, and to what we have achieved together.