FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Food Is Free Washington Announces Leadership Change
Tacoma, WA – August 9, 2024 – Food Is Free Washington (FIFW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting food security through community-driven and grant-funded initiatives, has announced the termination of Executive Director David Thompson. The decision, made by the Board of Directors in a unanimous vote, comes in response to several serious allegations and violations of organizational policies.
Summary of Causes for Termination:
- Misappropriation of Funds:Mr. Thompson was found to have misappropriated funds, using funds earmarked for contractual obligations for unauthorized expenses. This misappropriation resulted in overdrafts of the organization’s bank accounts, incurring unnecessary costs.
- Interference with Employees:Mr. Thompson intentionally prevented employees from performing their jobs effectively by removing their access without justification. He also dismissed employees without justification.
- Harassment and Threats:As reported by some of our clients and partners, Mr. Thompson engaged in harassment and made threats directed at personnel, resulting in the loss of contracts and revenue, temporary suspension of services, and the investment of time to repair relationships with FIFW clients and partners.
- Public Defamation:Mr. Thompson publicly defamed clients, partners, and FIFW itself, on social media, which led to negative feedback from community members, clients, and partners, as well as creating a potentially personally dangerous situation for those specifically named. This required our clients/partners to work directly with Facebook to remove defamatory posts, costing them money and time, and necessitated ongoing further work to repair relationships with FIFW clients/partners.
These actions have significantly hindered FIFW’s ability to fulfill its mission and meet its obligations.
Statement from the Board of Directors: “The Board of Directors prioritizes the integrity and mission of Food Is Free Washington. The actions of David Thompson were in direct violation of our organizational values and standards. We are committed to restoring trust and ensuring that our mission of promoting food security remains our top priority. We have taken immediate steps to stabilize our financial situation and are implementing measures to strengthen our operations and governance.”
Steps Taken to Remedy the Situation:
- Interim Leadership Team: The Board has appointed an interim leadership team to oversee daily operations and ensure continuity of services.
- Financial Oversight: Enhanced financial oversight and controls have been implemented to prevent future misappropriations and ensure funds are used appropriately.
- Contractual Obligations: We are actively working to secure additional funding and renegotiate terms with our partners to meet our contractual obligations and maintain our programs.
Next Steps: FIFW is currently conducting a comprehensive search for a new Executive Director who embodies the principles and dedication necessary to lead the organization forward. During this transition period, the Board has appointed an interim leadership team to oversee daily operations and ensure continuity of services.
About Food Is Free Washington: Food Is Free Washington is a non-profit organization committed to building community and promoting food security through sustainable, community-driven projects. Our mission is to make fresh produce accessible to all through shared resources and community engagement.
For further information, please visit our website at https://foodisfreewashington.org/ or contact us at [email protected].
