Close icon
Find Food
Donate Now icon
Donate Once Donate Monthly More Ways to Give

Thank you, Michael

Celebrating Michael McKee’s impact on communities in the Blue Ridge region. 

icon
Jump To
About Michael Read articles about his impact Share your appreciation Make a donation in his honor Read messages from the community View photos through the years
standard header
‘With and for our Neighbors’: Michael’s Transformational Approach to Improving Food Security in Virginia

After 15 years of dedicated service, including 12 as CEO, Michael McKee will retire from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank at the end of June 2025.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Food Bank has expanded its reach, strengthened partnerships, and improved access to fresh, nutritious food for hundreds of thousands of neighbors living in central and western Virginia. Thanks to his vision, over the years we’ve made significant progress in addressing local and regional hunger, for example, distributing 31 million pounds of food last year through nearly 400 community partnerships. His impact extends beyond our region—he has been a leader in statewide and national food banking efforts and was recently honored with Feeding America’s highest award.

Join us in celebrating Michael’s incredible contributions to improving food security in the Blue Ridge region!

Make a donation in Michael’s honor

Share your appreciation

In honor of Michael McKee’s remarkable leadership and dedication to ending hunger, generous donors have established the Michael McKee Professional Development Fund.

Donate now

Complete this form to share your well-wishes. We will select a few well-wishes from the community to share below!

Share your well-wishes

Well-wishes from the community

“A kind heart and a view to the future”

I’ve had the honor of working with and for Michael McKee. I’ve seen the growth of food insecurity in the Blue Ridge and, under Michael’s leadership, the rise of the Food Bank to meet it. With Michael, the Food Bank is a well-managed, people-oriented, and thoughtful organization. He’s a strategic-minded business thinker with a kind heart and a view to the future. Michael has worked hard, accomplished much, and deserves to enjoy this period in his life. He will also be greatly missed. Michael is a true servant leader who leaves the Food Bank and, thereby, the community better.

Les S.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“A culture of inclusivity, talent, personal growth, and support”

Michael, you are the most authentic, gifted, multitalented, visionary leader I’ve ever had the pleasure of working for. Because of you, the Food Bank has grown, thrived, morphed, changed, led the way, and continues to be the gold standard of nonprofits in our entire service region. You have created a culture of inclusivity, talent, personal growth, support, a place where we are free to challenge each other, grow as professionals and individuals, and view every person through a lens of compassion and grace. THANK YOU and enjoy every second your retirement. You’ve earned it!

Jenna D.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“You lead with heart and authenticity, keeping our guests at the center.”

Michael – I’m lucky to have worked with and learned from you. Because of your leadership and vision, we can all be proud of the work we do alongside our dedicated partners and volunteers to strengthen our region. Your strategic thinking has given us a roadmap for rising to challenges with clarity of purpose. You lead with heart and authenticity, keeping our guests at the center. These values you exemplify serve as a touchstone for us all and will carry us forward. I wish you so much luck and joy in your retirement. Thank you!

Lyndsey D.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“We are all better for your brilliance, humility, humor… I could go on!”

Michael, you are the absolute definition of a Servant Leader. We at the Food Bank are so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under your guidance and with your support. We are all better for your brilliance, humility, humor, vision, kindness, compassion….. I could go on and on! Thank you for investing your talents here at the Food Bank these many years and for investing in each and every one of us. We will miss you immensely, but we are celebrating this next chapter for you with just as much fervor. You have certainly earned it, a hundred times over. Congratulations!

Cara H.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

Photos through the years

image-slide-0
image-slide-1
image-slide-2
image-slide-3
image-slide-4
image-slide-5
image-slide-6
image-slide-7
image-slide-8
image-slide-9
image-slide-10

Michael has been a great mentor, leader, and friend. We will be forever grateful for his dedicated years of service, strategic mind, good sense of humor, and kindness. Thank you, Michael!