Cooper-Risser announced as Food For The Hungry’s Annual Drive and Community Relations Director

The Board of Directors for Food For The Hungry announced the selection of Tanner Cooper-Risser as the new Annual Drive and Community Relations Director, a position the board has restructured to better align with the responsibilities of the role.

Austin Swallow, president of the FFTH board, reports, "We believe the new title and revised job description better positions us for the future as we continue striving to best serve our county and partner agencies in providing a helping hand to our friends and neighbors in their times of need.”

Cooper-Risser, who worked for the OSU Extension Office for over nine years, is no stranger to the Knox County food pantries and hot meal programs. He exhibits a strong background in volunteer coordination and community outreach. “Perhaps these qualities were what stood out most to our selection team,” commented Lisa Lloyd, FFTH’s board vice president and lead for the transition process.

After receiving the news of being selected and affirmed as the FFTH Annual Drive and Community Relations Director, Cooper-Risser was asked if he wanted to convey anything with his acceptance of the position. He responded, “I have volunteered with Food For The Hungry in the past and helped develop and promote the Healthy Food Donation Guidelines that FFTH and the Knox County Health Department use, so I am familiar with the organization. I am beyond honored to get to continue building on the incredible work that my predecessors have done in this role. I am a firm believer that everyone should have access to healthy food for themselves and their families, and I believe Food For The Hungry does an excellent job at working to help that be a reality in our county.”

Cooper-Risser succeeds Kathy Brechler, who served as executive director of the 2024 and 2025 FFTH drives. He is a 2015 graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and lives in Mount Vernon with his wife and three young children.

Visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org to learn more about FFTH and follow FFTH on Facebook (@FoodForTheHungryKnoxCounty) and Instagram (@FFTHCares) to stay current on all things FFTH.