Staff and Board
We are proud of the staff and volunteers who help guide our work in the community.
Staff
Joe Gruber (he/him)
Joe was hired as Director in June 2003 after serving three years on the Board of Directors. Before joining the food bank, Joe worked in a variety of for-profit and nonprofit business consulting roles in both the United States and Eastern Europe. Currently, Joe is active in several local and statewide human service coalitions, including the Seattle Food Committee, Seattle Human Services Coalition, and Washington Food Coalition. He currently serves on the board for University Child Development School. Joe graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Zoology and Vanderbilt University with an MBA. You may contact Joe via the phone at 206-523-7060x709 or by email.
Paul Yunker (he/him)
Paul left the world of technology to become our full time Development Director in 2007. Paul manages our individual giving program and helps coordinate our annual fundraising auction. Paul’s desire is to personally connect with each of our many donors, so please take him up on his offer for a food bank tour and a cup of coffee. When he’s not raising money for us, Paul is a passionate heirloom tomato and potato gardener. He’s more than happy to share his many pearls of gardening wisdom with you. Or, if you bid just high enough at the auction, you can put his gardening talents to work for you. Paul is a proud Long Beach, Washington native, although he did attend Willamette University in Oregon so he could run track and cross country there. You may contact Paul via his direct line at 206-523-7060x701 or by email.
Shanelle Donaldson (she/her)
Shanelle joined the food bank team in October 2020. Shanelle brings more than a decade of urban farming experience into her role, including many years leading her own nonprofit farm, Percussion Farms, as well as leading garden programs at ACRS and Solid Ground. Shanelle has a passion for canning and preserving food.
You can contact Shanelle by email.
Molly Deal (she/her)
You can contact Molly via the main phone line at 206-523-7060 x707 or by email.
Abby Herrick (she/they)
You can contact Abby by email.
Cameron Van Horn (she/her)
You can contact Cameron by email.
Arra Ebersten (she/her)
Arra was a 10+ year volunteer who joined the food bank staff to support our shopping operations on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
You can contact Arra via email.
Bill Lowie (he/him)
Bill joined the food bank as Assistant Director in September 2002 after he moved to Seattle with his wife Jill. He oversees our daily operations and works directly with food bank volunteers. Previously, Bill worked for the Feeding America affiliate in North Carolina. Bill graduated from University of North Carolina with a BA in American History. You may contact Bill via phone number 206-523-7060x702 or by email.
Karilynn Cooper (she/her)
You can contact our Community Engagement and Resource Specialist via the main phone line at 206-523-7060 x708 or by email.
Eric Wirkman (he/him)
Eric joined the food bank team in November 2019. He oversees the donation recovery program with our grocery store partners and any community groups hosting food drives. Eric also manages Back of House operations on Fridays.
You can contact Eric via email.
Sarah Rowley (she/her)
Hailing originally from Montana, Sarah comes to the role of Volunteer Manager after serving two years of AmeriCorps here. She previously helped coordinate our satellite pantries and our home delivery programs.
You can contact Sarah via the main phone line at 206-523-7060 x705 or by email.
Jak McKool (he/him)
Jak joined the food bank team in May 2020. He manages Back of House operations on Tuesdays during our distribution hours.
You can contact Jak via email.
Christine Bagley (she/her)
Christine joined the food bank staff in April 2021 to support our Tuesday and Thursday shopping operations. In May 2023, she transitioned to support our fundraising and communications efforts.
You can contact Christine via email.
Jason Phillipi (he/him)
You can contact Jason by email.
