You are invited to contribute to The John R Paulk Endowment for Operations of the Emergency Food Network (JRP Endowment), established with the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.  The fund honors John’s nineteen-year contribution as an employee and community advocate of the Emergency Food Network (EFN).

John’s employment with EFN began on August 1, 1988, when he began work as EFN’s warehouse manager and truck driver. This date was also the beginning of John’s employment in the non-profit sector and he was eager to work in field where successful bottom lines were measured not in dollars received, but in pounds of foods distributed to the community.   

Over the years, John has served EFN is a broad variety of roles including:

·  As EFN’s first bookkeeper, assisting the organization in obtaining its 501(c)(3) charitable organization credentials;

·  Coordinator of the EFN Thanksgiving Dinner event;

·  Staffing the Boy Scout Food Drive;

·  Driving the truck to pick up holiday donations to the Spanaway and More Lights Christmas food drives;

·  Liaison to EFN member food banks, pantries, and feeding programs;

·  Coordinator for the county’s Emergency Food Assistance and Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Programs; and

·  Serving as the organizations food safety specialist.

September 30, 2007 marks John’s retirement from EFN with the title Chief Operations Officer/Chief Fiscal Officer.

The JRP Endowment will be allowed to grow until it reaches $50,000 before disbursements to EFN commence.  It is John’s wish that this fund be restricted to operational support.  Thank you for honoring John by contributing to his fund.