Vice President of Partner Services & Public Policy Earline Middleton will retire in January following 32 years of service to the Food Bank. Earline started at the Food Bank in 1991 as the Assistant to the Resource Development Director. She’s held many roles over the years, becoming a public face for the Food Bank, and shattered glass ceilings when she became our first female VP and first VP of color.
During her career, Earline has played a vital role in the implementation of anti-hunger and anti-poverty legislation. She has testified before the USDA, a congressional workshop, and hosted North Carolina Congressional delegations.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work at the Food Bank,” said Earline. It hasn’t always been smooth or easy, but the work we carried and the battles we fought have been to provide better access and more nutritious food for the too many people in need. A lot of minds and policies have been changed along these 32 years and for that I am thankful.”
Under Earline’s leadership, her team greatly expanded the capacity of the Food Bank’s partner agencies. They launched two new child nutrition programs – Kids Cafe and Kids Summer Meals. Most recently, Earline and her team advocated for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
“It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are to Earline for her unwavering and dedicated work to enrich the lives of individuals and families at risk for hunger,” said Peter Werbicki, President & CEO of the Food Bank. “We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and while her contributions will be missed, we wish her the best in her retirement.”
Your turn
If you believe in the Food Bank’s mission and would like to help support & sustain our programs, please make a donation today. Over 60% of our funding comes from individual donations by Hunger Heroes just like you! We could never do this important work alone.
This story was originally featured in our Hunger Matters newsletter, published Winter 2022.
