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The Dillwyn Mobile Food Pantry location has been moved this month due to construction. The distribution scheduled for May 23 will now be located at the Gene Dixon Memorial Park (204 Cotton Alley Rd, Dillwyn, VA 23936).
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Thank you, Michael

Celebrating Michael McKee’s impact on communities in the Blue Ridge region. 

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About Michael Read articles about his impact Share your appreciation Make a donation in his honor Read messages from the community View photos through the years
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‘With and for our Neighbors’: Michael’s Transformational Approach to Improving Food Security in Virginia

After 15 years of dedicated service, including 12 as CEO, Michael McKee will retire from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank at the end of June 2025.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Food Bank has expanded its reach, strengthened partnerships, and improved access to fresh, nutritious food for hundreds of thousands of neighbors living in central and western Virginia. Thanks to his vision, over the years we’ve made significant progress in addressing local and regional hunger, for example, distributing 31 million pounds of food last year through nearly 400 community partnerships. His impact extends beyond our region—he has been a leader in statewide and national food banking efforts and was recently honored with Feeding America’s highest award.

Join us in celebrating Michael’s incredible contributions to improving food security in the Blue Ridge region!

Make a donation in Michael’s honor

Share your appreciation

In honor of Michael McKee’s remarkable leadership and dedication to ending hunger, generous donors have established the Michael McKee Professional Development Fund.

Donate now

Complete this form to share your well-wishes. We will select a few well-wishes from the community to share below!

Share your well-wishes

Well-wishes from the community

“We are so grateful and we can’t thank you enough”

Thank you for your dedicated years at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Because of your hard work, the Red Truck Ministry has been able to feed those in need in the Lynchburg area. Your commitment to providing access to healthy food across Virginia has made a life-changing impact on countless lives.

We are so grateful for you and we can’t thank you enough. We wish you a wonderful retirement.

Moana Brady
Red Truck Ministry 

“Thank you with all my heart”

I have been blessed to have worked for many great supervisors and mentors, and you are one that inspired, mentored, and helped me grow in my profession. To top that professional relationship, I count you as a cherished friend. That is a combination that is unbeatable! Thank you with all my heart.

Nancy Bowman
Retired

“All the best to you on your next adventure!”

Our clinic is a fairly new partner, but have been able to participate in some Town Halls you hosted. Your passion and leadership was clear as well as your ability to inspire others! All the best to you on your next adventure!

Tammy LaGraffe
The Free Clinic of Culpeper

“I am thankful for your service”

Thank you, Michael, for your leadership and hard work for the Blue Ridge Area food bank. You have made a difference, and I am thankful for your service. Blessings on your next adventure!

Stephanie Noffsinger
Agape-Lynchburg

“You led us through the pandemic, and instituted Healthy Pantries”

CCAP Winchester would like to thank you for your leadership which was full of vision and strategic planning. You led us through the pandemic, and instituted Healthy Pantries. I spoke with you once and realized that even though you have a ton of partner agencies, you cared about each of us and wanted us to succeed. More importantly, you instilled that in every staff member I have had the pleasure to work with. Workplace culture is difficult to embrace consistently so kudos to you! You will be missed.

Andrea Cosans
CCAP Winchester

“A kind heart and a view to the future”

I’ve had the honor of working with and for Michael McKee. I’ve seen the growth of food insecurity in the Blue Ridge and, under Michael’s leadership, the rise of the Food Bank to meet it. With Michael, the Food Bank is a well-managed, people-oriented, and thoughtful organization. He’s a strategic-minded business thinker with a kind heart and a view to the future. Michael has worked hard, accomplished much, and deserves to enjoy this period in his life. He will also be greatly missed. Michael is a true servant leader who leaves the Food Bank and, thereby, the community better.

Les S.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“A culture of inclusivity, talent, personal growth, and support”

Michael, you are the most authentic, gifted, multitalented, visionary leader I’ve ever had the pleasure of working for. Because of you, the Food Bank has grown, thrived, morphed, changed, led the way, and continues to be the gold standard of nonprofits in our entire service region. You have created a culture of inclusivity, talent, personal growth, support, a place where we are free to challenge each other, grow as professionals and individuals, and view every person through a lens of compassion and grace. THANK YOU and enjoy every second your retirement. You’ve earned it!

Jenna D.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“You lead with heart and authenticity, keeping our guests at the center.”

Michael – I’m lucky to have worked with and learned from you. Because of your leadership and vision, we can all be proud of the work we do alongside our dedicated partners and volunteers to strengthen our region. Your strategic thinking has given us a roadmap for rising to challenges with clarity of purpose. You lead with heart and authenticity, keeping our guests at the center. These values you exemplify serve as a touchstone for us all and will carry us forward. I wish you so much luck and joy in your retirement. Thank you!

Lyndsey D.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

“We are all better for your brilliance, humility, humor… I could go on!”

Michael, you are the absolute definition of a Servant Leader. We at the Food Bank are so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under your guidance and with your support. We are all better for your brilliance, humility, humor, vision, kindness, compassion….. I could go on and on! Thank you for investing your talents here at the Food Bank these many years and for investing in each and every one of us. We will miss you immensely, but we are celebrating this next chapter for you with just as much fervor. You have certainly earned it, a hundred times over. Congratulations!

Cara H.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staff

Photos through the years

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Michael has been a great mentor, leader, and friend. We will be forever grateful for his dedicated years of service, strategic mind, good sense of humor, and kindness. Thank you, Michael!