Robert Campbell, had the initial vision of starting the Hunger Coalition. He was troubled by poverty related hunger showing up as health issues in the health care systems and founded the Providence N.E.W. Hunger Coalition along with Michele Sakurai in September, 2011. Bob retired as Chief Executive for Providence Health Care Stevens County, working in health care administration for over 30 years.

Bob Esvelt [in memory], Bob was raised near Daisy, Washington on a dairy farm and has returned and has lived in the Rice-Daisy area since 1980 after 9 years in higher education. He has a B.S. degree in Zoology in 1975 from Washington State University and earned a PhD in Biochemistry in December 1979 after researching Vitamin D metabolism and physiological function. Bob served as President of the Board of Directors for the Kettle Falls Food Bank for the past three years. He has been active in the Democratic Party for over 20 years serving as Stevens County Chair, State Committeeman and 5th congressional district representative to the Washington State Democratic Committee Executive Board. Bob was a farmer for the past 30 years and has many connections and partnerships with local farmers.

Dr. Michele Le Doux Sakurai, Interim Executive Director

Michele managed Mission/Community Benefit/Pastoral Care/Ethics for Providence Health Care Stevens County. She holds a Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Theology from University of Portland, a M.Ed. in Adult Education from Oregon State University, was a post-graduate fellow (with an emphasis in Mission) for Trinity Health Care, is CAP (Change Acceleration Process) trained, received LEAN training as part of her “Foundations of Leadership” training with Trinity, and has been nationally certified as a chaplain for over 20 years. As past chair, she managed policies, monitored the budget and was the Board liaison to the general members and co-facilitates the monthly member meetings.

Gael Treesiwin, was one of the early catalysts that had a passion to mobilize this group of food banks that had not yet begun to work together. Her skills in grant writing and capacity building for nonprofit organizations has helped every food bank learn new skills and find new money.

Past Board Members:

Pam Borders, served as our Secretary for the first seven (formative) years. She was an employee of Providence Mount Carmel Hospital managing all of the hospitals outside vendor contracts and is assistant to program staff.

Cliff and Sarah Nelson, served as founding board members. They were both very involved on the Board and in management of the Loon Lake Food Pantry and Resource Center.

Lloyd Ward served as our Treasurer for the first seven (formative) years. Lloyd retired to Colville, Washington in 1993 from a military career. He is actively involved in helping solve hunger, employment for youth and support for our Veterans.

Past AmeriCorps/VISTA Volunteers:

Lindsey Edmunds, was our first AmeriCorps VISTA Gleaning Coordinator for with the Harvest Against Hunger Project. Lindsey had the grace and style to start a new program that introduced the local farmers to ways they could sell their produce and glean the excess with our assistance.

Matt Morse, the second AmeriCorps VISTA Gleaning Coordinator for with the Harvest Against Hunger Project. Matt was able to add some systems work into our gleaning and Farm to Food Pantry program. He also helped build the first “Cool Pup” trailer to move small amounts of food throughout our region.