White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump announces retirement

| West Seattle news | White Center

Just announced late tonight – the longtime executive director of the White Center Food Bank, which serves part of West Seattle too, is retiring. Rick Jump‘s message:

To the clients, donors, volunteers, and staff of the White Center Food Bank and to the greater
White Center Community:

I have lived in White Center for 35 years; raised my children here, forged lifelong friendships, built partnerships, and helped to grow the White Center Food Bank for the past twelve years. It has been both my professional and personal passion to help support the most vulnerable in our community.

It is a unique place – one built on community, diversity, and resiliency despite the many challenges we have faced.

I am proud to call White Center my home.

This is why my decision to retire as the Executive Director of the White Center Food Bank is made with a heavy heart. I arrived at this decision after both I and my wife, Judy, have struggled with health issues in recent months. As much as I love this community, after 12 years of dedicating my life to helping others, it is time that Judy and I take care of ourselves.

I leave the White Center Food Bank knowing that it is in good, capable, and caring hands and am excited to see how it continues to grow to meet the needs of White Center now and into the future.

Thank YOU all for being such a wonderful community and for your support of the White Center Food Bank over the past 12 years. They have been some of my most formative and inspiring years of my life.

We have a few followup questions out to WCFB, including when Jump plans to leave and what the process will be for choosing his successor. His list of achievements is long, including winning the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce “Westsider of the Year” award in 2011 (that’s when we took the photo you see above).

Pete January 9, 2017 (6:25 am)

What a huge loss to the food bank community and to White Center. Rick has a huge heart full of compassion for those neighbors of ours who need a hand in their hour of need. Good luck Rick & Judy as you turn the page to begin the next chapter of your life. And I hope you both overcome your health issues.

Loufa January 9, 2017 (7:54 am)

Rick, Thanks for your years of service. I had a chance to tour the WSFB a couple of years ago when I went up to make a donation. I was impressed with the history and one person who willed a large contribution to really get it rolling. I also like the store type concept that they are going to. It is one of my favorite charities to donate to. Its nice to know they are there if you ever need help. Have a great time in the new chapter of your life!

Ann January 9, 2017 (11:18 am)

I add my thanks and feeling of regret at your departure, Rick. Your commitment to the less-well served in our community is steadfast. Retirement, I expect, will not mean your loss to the community. All the best to you and Judy as you move into another phase of life.

R0b0 January 9, 2017 (6:43 pm)

Congrats Rick! Amie and I always enjoyed volunteering with you and your great staff. It was amazing seeing how much hard work you put in behind the scenes and at all hours to keep the food bank stocked, making sure clients in crisis were taken care of no matter what, and growing more ways the organization could help the community. Enjoy some lazy days on the beach, no one deserves it more!

Steven J. Curry January 10, 2017 (1:35 pm)

Rick,

Thank you for everything you have done to make White Center and the surrounding neighborhoods a better place! You have been a mentor and leader to many of us who continue the work! Best wishes.

Steven J. Curry

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