VERONA, VA (Rocktown Now) — Blue Ridge Area Food Bank CEO Kari Diener has been appointed to the Virginia Commission to End Hunger, a statewide legislative body focused on developing long-term solutions to eliminate hunger across the Commonwealth.

Diener will serve a two-year term as a representative of a community organization, effective immediately through June 30, 2028.

The Virginia Commission to End Hunger is responsible for creating a two-year statewide plan to reduce hunger, monitoring progress, and encouraging collaboration among government agencies, schools, nonprofits and businesses. The commission also works to secure funding for nutrition programs, improve access to healthy school meals, remove barriers to food access, and strengthen public-private partnerships. It provides an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly outlining its progress and recommendations.

According to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Diener’s appointment reflects the organization’s continued commitment to addressing the root causes of hunger and supporting policies that improve food security and financial stability throughout central and western Virginia.

Diener brings more than 25 years of experience in humanitarian aid, food security and community resilience. Before becoming CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, she held leadership positions with Mercy Corps in Jordan and served as executive director of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, a global network of more than 400 organizations. She also lives in the Shenandoah Valley and remains active in the local community.

“It’s an honor to serve alongside leaders across Virginia who share a commitment to ending hunger,” Diener said. “Every day, families in our communities face impossible choices in order to put food on the table. This Commission gives us an opportunity to build stronger systems so that everyone has reliable access to nutritious food. I look forward to contributing the Food Bank’s experience and perspective to help shape statewide solutions.”

Under Diener’s leadership, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank serves an average of more than 177,000 guest visits each month across 25 counties and eight cities through a network of nearly 400 partner agencies, schools and community organizations.