Staff Report
HAYS COUNTY – The Central Texas Food Bank named Sari Vatske as the sixth President and CEO in its 40-year history. Vatske assumed leadership of the region’s largest nonprofit hunger relief agency on June 1.
Vatske, an experienced food bank executive, comes to the area from Feeding South Florida (FSF) where she served as the executive vice president. FSF is one of the largest food banks in the nation – serving 25% of the state’s food insecure population.
Vatske takes the helm at the Central Texas Food Bank at the onset of its crucial summer fundraising campaign. This time of year, kids are out of school and utility bills are on the rise, increasing the number of Central Texans in need. Inflation is also taking a toll, as reflected in an increase of more than 44,000 individuals served by the Food Bank from January to April of this year.
“It’s an honor to bring my food bank and community-building experience to the Central Texas Food Bank,” said Vatske. “The Food Bank has established an incredible foundation to meet the persistent and growing need for food security. I look forward to working with the dedicated team, board, volunteers, donors, nonprofits and community at large to continue enhancing and expanding the services and programs provided by the Central Texas Food Bank in service to our neighbors in need.”
During her tenure with FSF, Vatske was named a “Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders” by Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine in 2021; “Top Workplace Professional” by the Sun-Sentinel in 2016; and was named to “40 Under 40” by the South Florida Business journal in 2014. Vatske also sits on the Feeding America’s Network Fundraising Services Advisory Council.
Vatske now leads an organization on the front line of hunger relief, serving nearly 60,000 people each week in a 21-county service area twice the size of Massachusetts. Last year, the Food Bank distributed nearly 65 million pounds of food.
“Sari’s selection as the new President and CEO of the Food Bank caps an extensive nationwide search,” said Hari Jayaram, Central Texas Food Bank Board Chair. “We’re very excited about the leadership skills she’ll bring to the Central Texas Food Bank as the organization faces the challenges of a growing population of food-insecure neighbors.”
Vatske replaces Derrick Chubbs, who left CTFB at the end of 2021 to lead the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Orlando.
