Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Announces Caitlin Sly as the New President and CEO
Caitlin brings her extensive knowledge of fighting hunger in the community to the Food Bank
CONCORD, CA, March 25, 2024 — The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is excited to announce that Caitlin Sly will rejoin the organization as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. After an extensive national search for the last eight months, the Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership Team selected Sly to lead the Food Bank. Caitlin brings her extensive background in nonprofit leadership and passion for serving the community to her new role.
For the last four years, Sly has served as the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region, an organization dedicated to delivering meals to over 8,600 seniors annually. Before MOW Diablo Region, she dedicated eleven years to the Food Bank – first as part of the programs team, where she was instrumental in building the children’s and nutrition programs, with her final tenure serving as the Director of Programs.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, with its 10+ direct service programs and its network of over 260 agency partners, has been a reliable lifeline for neighbors in need of food for nearly 50 years. Sly will join as the organization faces increased demand, decreased donations and government funding, and continued food inflation. Despite its unique challenges, the Food Bank continues to execute on its three-year strategic plan, serving over 3 million meals monthly on average to local families, children, older adults, and neighbors in need. In line with its ambitious goal to improve health outcomes in the community, 65% of the food provided is fresh, seasonal produce, protein, and dairy.
Looking forward, Sly and the Food Bank leadership and staff will be tasked to implement innovative and more resourceful ways to continue fighting food insecurity. It is a challenge Sly is ready to take on. As a Bay Area native, she understands the community’s unique environment and is personally committed to its welfare. She grew up watching her father, Larry Sly, one of the Food Bank’s founding employees and former Executive Director, commit his life to fighting food insecurity in the community. Larry’s work for the Food Bank inspired her to follow her own calling to end hunger, as well.
“I truly believe it is unjust that any of our neighbors should go hungry, and I have dedicated my career to doing whatever I can to affect change,” said Caitlin Sly, President and CEO of the Food Bank. “Over the years, I have watched the Food Bank evolve from a small emergency food provider to a leader fighting against food insecurity and promoting nutrition through education and the distribution of fresh, seasonal produce. In many ways, my return to the Food Bank as the President and CEO feels like coming home. I am proud to be joining a team of enthusiastic hunger fighters committed to finding innovative solutions to end hunger in our communities.”
Sly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Spanish from the University of California, Davis. In addition to her role as the President and CEO of the Food Bank, she is an active community member—currently serving as a Board Member for the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau and is a past Board Member of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels California.
“We’re excited to welcome Caitlin Sly to the Food Bank as its new President and CEO,” said Jill Steele, Board Chair for the Board of Directors at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. “Caitlin’s proven dedication to the community, mission-driven leadership, and extensive experience fighting food insecurity make her the ideal leader for this incredible organization. We look forward to what she and the Food Bank team accomplish together to fight food insecurity today and for years to come.”
About the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County:
Founded in 1975, The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is a critical resource, serving one in four residents in our local communities. Our mission is leading the fight to end hunger, in partnership with our community and service of our neighbors in need. Through our partnership with Feeding America, the Food Bank distributes nutritious food directly to clients as well as through a network of over 260 partners and nonprofits — serving 465,000 people every month. The Food Bank also strategically engages in advocacy work to raise awareness and mobilize support to end hunger, and we are recognized as one of Feeding America’s Hall of Fame honor roll members for excellence in advocacy.
During times of crisis, the Food Bank team serves as second responders by providing food for communities impacted by natural disasters and emergencies. As Feeding America’s hub for disaster relief on the West Coast, we’ve helped respond to disasters in 18 Northern California counties and beyond.
With 97 cents of every $1 donated going toward food distribution, the Food Bank is committed to financial transparency and consistently earns Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating. To learn more about the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, visit www.foodbankccs.org
