Kingsport, TN – April 16, 2026: Rhonda Chafin, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, has been named the 2026 John van Hengel Fellow by Feeding America during the organization’s annual conference held this week in Dallas, TX. The John van Hengel Fellowship Award is the highest honor in food banking and is intended to be the crowning honor of the winner’s career. This lifetime achievement award celebrates individuals whose careers have been defined by unwavering dedication to fighting hunger and serving communities in need. It recognizes their commitment to community engagement, innovation, collaboration, inspiring others, building capacity and centering people facing hunger.
Established in 2002, the award honors John van Hengel, the founder of the world’s first food bank, St. Mary’s in Phoenix, and widely regarded as the “Father of Food Banking.” In the 1960s, his pioneering vision laid the foundation for the very concept that the Feeding America network is based upon today.
Rhonda Chafin has dedicated her 33-year career to addressing food insecurity across Northeast Tennessee. As CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, she has led efforts to expand access to nutritious food, strengthen partnerships with community organizations, and build a more responsive and resilient hunger-relief network throughout the region. Under her leadership, the organization has deepened its engagement with neighbors and partners, working collaboratively with nonprofits, schools, healthcare providers, and local governments to better understand and meet community needs. She has championed innovative approaches to food distribution and access, ensuring that services are delivered with dignity and efficiency.
A respected leader within the Feeding America network, Rhonda has contributed her expertise through regional and national collaboration, helping to advance shared strategies to end hunger. Her commitment to listening to and elevating the voices of people experiencing food insecurity has shaped programs and initiatives that are more inclusive and impactful.“Rhonda embodies the very spirit of the John van Hengel Fellowship with a deep, abiding commitment to improving dignified access to food for neighbors facing hunger, grounded in compassion and respect,” said Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America. “Her pioneering efforts in rural communities, from mobile food pantries to a lunch program serving children using school buses, shows what is possible when a leader puts people first and never stops innovating. We are proud of and grateful for her extraordinary work.”
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” said Rhonda. “This award reflects the dedication of our entire team, our partners, and the communities we serve. Together, we are working to ensure that everyone has access to the food they need to thrive. I am grateful to be part of a network that is so committed to ending hunger.”
As part of her Fellowship, Rhonda will be invited to speak at next year’s Feeding America annual conference, addressing an audience of approximately 700 food bank leaders and colleagues from across the country.