Capital Area Food Bank

This week, the food bank lost one of its co-founders: Father Eugene Brake. The following is a statement from CAFB President and CEO Radha Muthiah on what his life meant to the CAFB and to our community. *** Statement from CEO Radha Muthiah on the Passing of Father Eugene Brake Along with so many others at the Capital Area Food Bank, I am deeply saddened at this week’s passing of Father Eugene Brake, one of the food bank’s co-founders. Father Brake, a cherished member of the CAFB community for decades, was among the interfaith leaders who recognized a growing need for emergency food in the region following significant cuts to government assistance programs in the late 1970s. With grit and determination, Father Brake and others, including CAFB’s first CEO Lynn Brantley, set to work gathering food from local grocers and growers, and distributing it to those in need. Together they laid the groundwork for CAFB to open its doors – with great intention – on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in January of 1980. Father Brake was a tireless champion for the needs of people in low-income communities. Growing up in poverty in Delaware, he later devoted his life to the service of those experiencing hunger and homelessness in the Washington region, working and often living in the places of greatest need. He was a man of great faith, and also a man of great action. Everyone in the CAFB community who knew him describes him as a person constantly on the go (Father Brake himself was fond of calling himself “Fast Brake”). In the early years of the CAFB’s founding, that meant driving around to collect food in an old pickup truck and taking it to people who needed it, sometimes fielding calls late at night from those seeking help. Later on, when the food bank had its own fleet of trucks and drivers, that meant doing whatever was needed, from painting something in the warehouse to building new desks for a reconfigured office when space was getting tight. All of this was performed with an air of cheerful urgency, a sense that whatever he was doing in that moment to support the organization’s mission could not wait. Father Brake once said “All I ever wanted was the same opportunities for everybody. That’s what drives me. It’s the very nature of Christianity.” By all accounts, that sentiment shaped every aspect of how he approached his life of service. I am incredibly proud that the passion for equity that drove Father Brake to help lead the food bank’s founding is still woven into the fabric of the organization today. His “can do” spirit, his deep commitment to the community, his fierce belief that all people deserve the same chance at a good life, and his understanding that food underpins opportunity and is one of our most essential human rights all live on thanks to his unyielding efforts. He made a profound difference for millions of people during his life, and through his legacy, he will continue to do the same.

Pork producers from Virginia, North Carolina, and Iowa have donated $100,000 worth of pork products—equivalent to 54,000 pounds—to the Capital Area Food Bank! This marked the cumulation of the #100kPorkChop Challenge, in which Sloppy Mama's BBQ restaurant took home a prize for their mouth-watering pork chop recipe. We’re thrilled to accept this generous donation. At the Capital Area Food Bank, we strive to distribute healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors in need, and protein products like pork are essential. This amazing donation will help ensure families in our region can access the food they need to thrive. Thank you to the pork producers for their support!

We believe in making food assistance available and accessible to all members of our community. To better serve our Spanish-speaking neighbors, we've launched our Get Help page in Spanish. Help us spread the word and ensure that everyone is connected to the resources they need! Si necesita comida para usted o su familia, visite: https://lnkd.in/efD7zykd

We’re working hard to help bring good food and brighter futures to our neighbors all over the Greater Washington region. Want to join our team? Here's a few of the roles for which we're seeking new team members: - Program Associate, Afterschool & Summer Meals - Specialist, Strategic Initiatives - Coordinator, Healthcare Pilots Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/eFRZHx8F

Congratulations to the fourth cohort of our Client Leadership Council, who have successfully completed the advocacy training program! During last week's graduation ceremony, members of the latest class shared the profound impact that being a part of a community of diverse voices has had on their personal and professional growth. They committed to continuing their collaboration to amplify their individual voices and affect policy changes in their communities. We were also honored to hear from Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, who spoke about how listening to constituents' voices enables policymakers to advocate effectively on their behalf. Exciting news! Applications for the next cohort of our Client Leadership Council are now LIVE! Visit https://lnkd.in/e_4HR2BE to apply or nominate someone you believe would be a great addition to the next class, which will kick off this fall. Applications are open through August 15.

Hunger is an issue that touches every community in America. We’re grateful for the generosity of partners like the Morgan Stanley Foundation who support in directly helping children and families facing hunger in the DMV. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dW4vjbT

Among our volunteers this month were some of our dedicated board members, who rolled up their sleeves to pack boxes for our neighbors across the region. 💪 We're grateful for the myriad of ways they share their time, experience and insights throughout the year to help ensure we can meet the need for food assistance in our region!

Shoutout to the 32 DC legal teams that competed in the 16th annual Food From the Bar fundraising competition! 👏 From pickleball tournaments to trivia nights, firms had fun while supporting a great cause and dedicated over 136 volunteer hours during the month of May! In total, the competition raised $517,150, which will provide 1,034,300 meals to those in need! We're grateful to every participating firm: A&O Shearman Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Arnold & Porter Baker McKenzie Ballard Spahr LLP Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP Carlton Fields Cassidy Levy Kent LLP (USA) The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law Crowell & Moring DC WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY DLA Piper Faegre Drinker Foley & Lardner LLP Freddie Mac Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association Holland & Hart LLP Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Husch Blackwell Iranian American Bar Association, DC Chapter K&L Gates Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP McGuireWoods LLP Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Reed Smith LLP Seyfarth Shaw LLP Team Creel South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America (D.C. Chapter) Thompson Coburn LLP Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP Zuckerman Spaeder LLP We look forward to next year!

Today, we celebrate #Juneteenth as significant day in American history marking the end of slavery. Ahead of this day, members of our staff came together for a group excursion to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Our visit was not just an opportunity to learn about the rich history and profound contributions of African Americans, but it also was a chance to reflect on our mission to address hunger and its root causes. Exhibits highlighted the systemic inequities that have contributed to food insecurity in the communities we serve. Understanding the past is crucial as we work to ensure access to good food today and brighter futures tomorrow. Happy Juneteenth!

Although summer marks a time of fun in the sun, it also means families that rely on school meals must provide more breakfasts, lunches and snacks every week. For food-insecure families, this can be a significant challenge. That’s why we support 22 sites across the Washington region where kids can receive free, nutritious meals all summer long! By helping kids stay fed, we can ensure they continue learning, playing and growing. Last year we distributed 56,000 meals and expect to provide thousands more this summer! Go to www.KidsMealsDMV.org or www.ComidasParaNinos.org for locations and hours, and help us to spread the word!