The Chattanooga Area Food Bank has welcomed new Executive Director Maeghan Jones to the helm of the nonprofit, hunger-relief agency. Ms. Jones joins the Food Bank as the organization celebrates 30 years of continuous growth and is feeding 20,000 people each week. 

“This is a really exciting time to be leading this amazing effort," said Ms. Jones.  "Hunger is real and it’s right here. The Food Bank has made amazing progress with few resources over the last 30 years, and I believe we will continue to make great strides toward a hunger-free community during our next 30 years. My job is to make sure everyone in our community understands that it’s not acceptable for anyone to go hungry.” 

Ms. Jones has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 15 years. She has held various management and leadership positions, including director of a statewide AmeriCorps program, executive director of a private family foundation, and a nonprofit management consultant. 

In addition to her nonprofit management experience, Ms. Jones has worked as a public interest attorney assisting low-income and indigent clients secure basic rights and services. She holds a B.A. from Kenyon College and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law where she was a recipient of the University’s Public Interest Law Scholarship. She shares a home in Chattanooga with her husband, Kirk Zigler, a biology professor at Sewanee.  

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank will host the public for tours of the warehouse and to meet the new executive director on Tuesday, July 31, beginning at 8 a.m. The tours will continue every 30 minutes until noon and anyone can attend. Tours will include a meet and greet with Ms. Jones, a brief overview of how to get involved at the Food Bank, and a behind the scenes view of how millions of pounds of food is received, sorted, and distributed every year to feed the hungry.

Individuals and groups are welcome to attend the public tours and can RSVP at 622-1800 or visit ChattFoodBank.org for more information.  

“I encourage people to come out to tour our facility on the 31st and see what really happens on our warehouse floor each and every day,” says Ms. Jones. “If you have always wanted to get involved in your community and just didn’t know how, or if you belong to a community group that is always looking to help more people, I invite you to come see us.”