Bylander served as Vice President and past Secretary
Alexis Bylander has spent the last three years serving on FFEN’s board of directors, she is wrapping up her role as vice president and previously spent time as secretary of the board.
Bylander came to FFEN with a long history in hunger relief efforts at the state and
national level. She currently serves as the interim director of Child Nutrition Programs
and Policy at the Food Research & Action Center in Washington D.C.
Her ultimate vision is a world where people have the resources they need and no longer need food shelves. But she said, until that happens, she wanted to be involved in an organization creating better space and processes for those accessing food shelves.
“I want that experience to be as positive and dignified as possible, that’s what drew me
to FFEN,” Bylander said.
She said she respects that FFEN works from a trauma-informed lens, helping food
shelves feel full, abundant, and welcoming, moving away from a scarcity mentality.
And, while she said, food shelf leaders are adept at navigating policy and practice
changes in the funding environment, there is little available to them for support.
“So many of the people who lead food shelves just want the best for the people they’re
serving,” she said.
But often, they are not armed with best practices in hunger relief, and many do not have
connections with other food shelf leaders, forcing them to tackle their problems
independently.
“FFEN has the materials and the training, so people don’t feel isolated, so they have
access to the newest and best ideas,” Bylander said.
