The Jefferson County Food Bank Association Emerges Stronger From Bumpy Transition

News by Scott France

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — Rebounding from struggles with untenable governance structures and operational friction, the Jefferson County Food Bank Association (JCFBA) overseeing food banks in Port Townsend, Brinnon, Tri-Area, and Quilcene now boasts a robust balance sheet, revised bylaws, and a focus on local sourcing amid rising community needs.

The JCFBA has navigated a period of leadership changes, volunteer departures and internal audits to enter a stable new phase marked by financial strength and expanded services.

In late 2023, JCFBA operated entirely on volunteers, with food bank managers reporting to an executive who answered to the board—a setup that JCFBA Board Vice president Sonja Mathews described as "kind of circular and counterproductive”. 

The all-volunteer model faltered as demand surged, with monthly households accessing services jumping from 2,700 in 2023 to 3,200 in early 2024. Hiring the first executive director, Patricia Hennessey, in November 2023 triggered upheaval, including accusations of mismanagement, harassment, and bylaws violations from longtime volunteers.

Governance overhaul: Centralized structure takes hold

Recognizing centralization‘s benefits, JCFBA revised bylaws to bar dual staff-board roles, eliminating conflicts in the old model. Mathews noted that the changes enabled an executive director-led approach, transitioning from pure volunteer management to an employee model.  

Now, employees manage each of the four food bank sites, where volunteers still help organize and distribute food. New positions centralized operations, boosting efficiency as needs grew—now serving about 30% of Jefferson County residents, up significantly over two years, according to Board Treasurer John DiMaggio.

Financial turnaround: Record donations fuel resilience

With these changes a pivotal shift came financially: 2025 marked a "strong year for donations," with no debt and $3.5 million in reserves, DiMaggio said. “November-December inflows hit six- or seven-year highs, driven by individual gifts amid economic pressures.” 

This influx proved critical as food insecurity rose, enabling a $454,486.97 annual food purchase budget. More than half of JCFBA‘s budget goes towards purchasing food, according to Board President Roland Faragher-Horwell.

JCFBA sources over half its food locally from vendors, growers' networks, farms, gardens, and rescues from grocery stores and restaurants. Leadership plans heightened 2026 emphasis on local procurement, including starter plants like basil and tomatoes for clients' home gardens. 

Distribution continues uninterrupted, with hopes to purchase vans to reach homebound residents or those lacking proxies.

Forward momentum: Local focus, expansion plans, optimism

Through the organizational turbulence that pulled the Board’s attention towards reorganizing, JCFBA remains committed to its local roots.

“We hired local people (for the new management roles) and 99.5% of the folks that work for the JCFBA are still volunteers,” Mathews said.

Partnerships with the Food Bank Growers Network, Gleaners, local farms and food rescue efforts help sustain affordability, while cash reserves enable strategic buys. 

JCFBA has two new pop-up locations, one at the New Life Christian Church on Sundays, and the other at Nourishing Beloved Community (NBC). NBC’s pop-up serves people of the global majority as well as queer and transgender folks, according to founder Oceana Sawyer.

This transition mirrors resilient nonprofits adapting to post-pandemic surges, where professionalization unlocks grants and sustainability. JCFBA's story—from 2024 rifts to audit-validated stability—positions it to better combat hunger in the county.

"We have an incredibly strong balance sheet," DiMaggio said, even as JCFBA is facing higher food costs and increasing demand for food from a solid financial footing. 

JCFBA is currently experiencing growing needs, accompanied by growing capacity. “The community rallied around us in terms of donations to help,” said Faragher-Horwell. “We now want to do more of these pop-ups, multiple pantry kind of things.”

JCFBA will soon put out an annual report to the community, followed by a series of communications, “that help people understand not only who we are, but who we work with, and what our plans are for the future,” Mathews said.

In a county facing rising food insecurity, JCFBA's new phase promises greater transparency, as well as reliable aid, blending volunteer heart with executive vision.

You can learn more about the Jefferson County Food Bank Association at https://www.jcfba.org