For 29 years, Lynn J. Brantley's creative vision has inspired the Capital Area Food Bank's comprehensive approach to ending hunger through enduring partnerships with hundreds of community service organizations. A co-founder of the Food Bank in 1980,
Ms. Brantley took on the role of Executive Director in 1988 and currently serves as President and CEO. Under her leadership, the Capital Area Food Bank was named "...the best food bank operating on the East Coast" by America's Second Harvest (now Feeding America), the national umbrella organization for more than 200 food banks.

Providing access to nutritious food is central to the food bank's mission. However, addressing hunger requires so much more. Ms. Brantley has worked and empowered her staff to strengthen the community through continuing education, skill-building, outreach and training; all of which support and grow local partnerships.

The food bank's relationship with 700 member agencies, which include Food & Friends, Bread for the City, S.O.M.E., and Martha's Table among others, is crucial. Because of the food bank, these organizations are able to utilize dollars normally spent on food to sustain other programs, including job-training, day care, medical services and counseling.

Ms. Brantley lives in Prince George's County close to her children and grandchildren.
She has dedicated much of her life to turning a determined face to the problem of hunger in our community, because she believes that having nutritious food is a basic human right. Ms. Brantley is an unwavering voice for the powerless, an inspiration to her staff and an advocate for those suffering from hunger.