Nov. 21, 2023 – Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) proudly welcomes Charles Dennis as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2024. Dennis, a seasoned professional with over two decades of food bank experience, most recently served as the Director of Membership Engagement for Feeding America national.
“We are thrilled to welcome Charles Dennis as our new Executive Director,” said Julia Springsteen, FAKH Board Chair. “Under Jamie Sizemore’s leadership, FAKH’s service quality improved amidst challenges like a pandemic, tornadoes and unpredictable food supplies. Our board is confident that Charles will uphold Sizemore’s standards and propel us toward the mission and values of FAKH.”
A Lyon College graduate and proud Arkansas native, Dennis brings a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in a rural town. His knowledge of the challenges faced by rural communities sets the stage for impactful work that aligns seamlessly with FAKH’s mission.
As Executive Director of FAKH, Dennis will oversee the organization’s efforts to provide equitable access to nutritious food across the organization’s 42 county service area through a network of local community partnerships.
“I’m incredibly excited to immerse myself in the communities that Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland serves,” Dennis said. “The food bank is a community resource. It exists because of resources provided by the community, and it exists to provide resources to neighbors facing hunger. I take the responsibility of being a good steward of those resources seriously and look to bring everything I’ve learned in my career to Kentucky’s Heartland.”
Dennis’s extensive background showcases his commitment to addressing hunger and improving food security. Beginning in 2002, Dennis worked for the San Antonio Food Bank. During his time in San Antonio, he helped lead disaster response efforts for 35,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees. In 2007, Dennis transitioned to the Feeding America national office and spent the next 16 years working in compliance standards and organizational capacity development for network food banks nationwide.
Dennis succeeds Jamie Sizemore, who publicly announced her retirement in September 2023 after leading FAKH over the last five years. He is scheduled to arrive at FAKH on December 4, 2023 for a month of scheduled transition.
“My time leading Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland has been filled with profound purpose, and I am confident that Charles, with his extensive food banking background and understanding of the challenges that our rual neighbors face, will be an outstanding leader,” Sizemore said.