River Bend Food Bank will have a new president and CEO effective July 1, when Chris Ford of Milan takes over from River Bend’s current chief Nancy Renkes, the regional hunger relief nonprofit announced today, March 13.
Mr. Ford, a Quad Cities native, brings 30 years of food industry experience to the table at River Bend, a news release from that organization said.
He first joined River Bend, located at 4010 Kimmel Drive, Davenport, in February 2021 when he was hired as its first food sourcing manager. He currently serves as the company’s chief operating officer.
Mr. Ford has spent the past three years developing relationships both internally and externally for the agency which works with more than 400 partner agencies in 23 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois to ensure people facing hunger have reliable access to healthy food.
Ford excited to lead
“Each day as we work to provide food to those facing food insecurity, we might also be strengthening a relationship between family members or providing a sense of assurance that food will be available for a young set of parents nurturing, loving, and dreaming of a bright future for their children,” Mr. Ford said in the release. “I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the River Bend Food Bank team and its thousands of supporters in the fight to end hunger.”
In announcing the leadership change, River Bend Food Bank Board Chair Marie Ziegler said “The Food Bank has been in excellent hands with Nancy at its helm. On behalf of the entire board of directors, I want to thank her for her tireless efforts.”
Ms. Ziegler added, “ As we transition to Chris as our new president and CEO, I have every confidence that he will carry on the mission that Nancy and the leadership team has accomplished in her time here. Chris brings an energy and perspective to the River Bend team that will ensure the dedicated staff and volunteers will continue to provide food to anyone who is food insecure.”
Ms. Renkes returned to River Bend as president and CEO in October 2022, after a two-year term as executive director at Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Prior to her Wisconsin move, from 2015-2020 Ms. Renkes was chief partnership officer at River Bend.
Ready for next phase
In announcing the latest transition to new leadership, River Bend said, “After an inspiring career as a leader and fundraiser in the Quad Cities, Nancy’s eager to start a new season of life that continues her connection to all the work she has done in the nonprofit community, while also giving her more time with family. “
Ms. Renkes added “The time I’ve spent in food banking has left a very special place in my heart. As I move into the next phase of my life and career, and transition this role to Chris, I reflect on the impact this organization has had on me. I appreciate how each and every day I get to educate, inspire, and feed another person experiencing hunger. I am honored to have been a small piece of the food bank’s mission, but it is time for me to put a little more life in my work/life balance.’’
In addition to the food bank, Ms. Renkes has a long history of working with and leading nonprofits in the Quad Cities. For example, she held leadership roles including Junior Achievement of the Heartland, the Quad Cities Women’s Connection and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
She and her husband, Jim, also were former owners of the Grape Life Emporium, Davenport.
