The Board of Directors for Food For The Hungry announced on June 10 the appointment of Tanner Cooper-Risser as the new Annual Drive and Community Relations Director, a role that has been restructured to better fit its responsibilities.
Austin Swallow, President of the Food For The Hungry Board, said, "We believe the new title and revised job description better positions us for the future as we continue striving to best serve our county and partner agencies in providing a helping hand to our friends and neighbors in their times of need."
Cooper-Risser brings over nine years of experience from his work at the OSU Extension Office. He is familiar with Knox County food pantries and hot meal programs, with a background in volunteer coordination and community outreach. Lisa Lloyd, Board Vice President and lead for the transition process, commented that these qualities stood out most to the selection team.
Upon being selected as Annual Drive and Community Relations Director, Cooper-Risser said, "I have volunteered with Food For The Hungry in the past and helped develop and promote the Healthy Food Donation Guidelines that FFTH and the Knox County Health Department use, so I am familiar with the organization. I am beyond honored to get to continue building on the incredible work that my predecessors have done in this role. I am a firm believer that everyone should have access to healthy food for themselves and their families, and I believe Food For The Hungry does an excellent job at working to help that be a reality in our county." Cooper-Risser succeeds Kathy Brechler, who served as Executive Director of the 2024 and 2025 drives.
Cooper-Risser graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2015. He lives in Mount Vernon with his wife and three children.
More information about Food For The Hungry can be found at the organization's website.
