Submitted by Lorri Manasse, PCC, ICF Metro DC
Coaching provided for organization leaders (e.g., supervisors, managers) of Food for Others

Food for Others has been a vital part of Northern Virginia’s safety net against hunger since 1995, distributing millions of pounds of food to those who need it. Prior to COVID-19, Food for Others served 1,800 households weekly. At the height of COVID, they served up to 4,000 meals per week. They currently serve more than 3,000 meals weekly. This increase in need required the organization to add a warehouse, recruit and train more volunteers and hire seven new staff members. ICF Metro DC Chapter is supporting the five most senior leaders at Food for Others, including the executive director and four senior directors.

ICF Metro DC Chapter began providing coaching services at Food for Others in October. We are coaching the executive director, operations director, volunteer director, warehouse director and development director.

In the six months prior to our involvement, they had been “operating on adrenaline,” according to the executive director. The whole leadership team needs a chance to rest, assess and celebrate what they’ve accomplished, as well as think about how they will move forward under the “new normal” without burning out.

Through coaching, these leaders will be better equipped to take stock of the current situation and think productively about the future of the organization, the needs of their constituents, relationships with volunteers and their continued impact in the community.

This is the first formal leadership development initiative for this organization, and we look forward to helping the entire team as they move forward to provide this urgently needed community service.