Capital Development Services celebrated our client’s success at the groundbreaking for Capital Area Food Bank, serving the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, for a new facility that will help build a sustainable response to hunger for years to come.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 28, 2008 at the site of their future home in Washington, DC where a new food distribution warehouse will be built. Leaders gathered to celebrate this significant milestone of progress in their $36 million campaign, “‘Til No One is Hungry Campaign.”
The Washington Post reported on
October 29, 2008, “The economy is having a negative effect on the food
bank, which helps feed about 383,000 people in the region each year.
Cash donations have fallen about 10 percent from last fall, and food
contributions are down 15 percent, Chief Operating Officer Brian Smith
said. Meanwhile, calls from needy residents to the food bank’s hunger
lifeline have jumped 248 percent in the past six months.” The faltering
economy has driven up demand at food pantries and soup kitchens
nationwide as further evidence of the need these organizations meet.
Fundraising
for the new Capital Area Food Bank facility will culminate in early
2010 when the food bank transitions to its new home. Campaign co-chairs
include Donald E. Graham, chairman & CEO, The Washington Post
Company; J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman & CEO, Marriott
International, Inc.; Abe Pollin, chairman, Washington Sports &
Entertainment; and Bennett Zier, Umansky Wyatt Zier Consulting.
Lynn
Brantley, president & CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank said,
“Since we opened our doors in 1980, our goal has been to provide access
to healthy food for the residents of this community. The need has
continued to grow and now includes not only the working poor, but many
who once considered themselves middle class.”
Speaking
about their campaign guidance from Capital Development Services’ Senior
Counsel, Kevin Jacques, Brantley said, “Kevin is such a treasure.
Capital Development Services has led us to great success and Kevin’s
been a strong mentor and coach for me. I’m personally and
professionally grateful that Capital Development has been with us in
the role of campaign counsel.”