Olympia, WA, October 18, 2022

Thurston County Food Bank Board of Directors has secured new leadership with the hiring of Jay Kang as its CEO.  This transition begins on November 1, 2022.    

Jay has been involved with both faith-based and community-based nonprofit organizations for over 35 years in various leadership roles serving the refugee and immigrant communities, most recently as Senior District Director at Lutheran Community Services Northwest.  Jay will be the organization’s first CEO as the Food Bank had been under the same Executive Director leadership for the past eighteen years.

The Board is excited to have Jay join the Thurston County Food Bank to guide the organization into the next 50 years. They are enthusiastic about introducing Jay to our South Sound community.   

Immigration and refugee work has been at the forefront of Jay’s professional career.  He was involved with the refugee council at the state level and continued this work with the Korean Women’s Association and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Prior to these endeavors, Jay found his passion for social work at the Safefutures Youth Center and Neighborhood House.

The Thurston County Food Bank has continuously served our local community for 50 years, with a mission to eliminate hunger and a strategy of neighbor helping neighbor.  Our core philosophies are working to eliminate access barriers, prioritizing health, prioritizing children, and rescuing good food from going to waste.