At the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB), leadership is about more than strategy — it’s about service, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the community. Since stepping into the role of President and CEO in June 2022, Sari M. Vatske has propelled CTFB into a new era — one that expands food access, strengthens programs, amplifies research, and addresses the root causes of hunger and poverty.
Under her leadership, CTFB is not just feeding people — we’re creating lasting solutions that empower families, strengthen communities, and change lives.
A Leader with a Vision
As President and CEO of CTFB, Sari brings a fresh perspective and a bold vision for what’s possible. She has led Central Texas Food Bank through transformational growth, ensuring that food access is not just about meeting today’s needs but creating pathways to tomorrow’s success.
In Sari’s time at CTFB, she has increased distribution by more than ten percent, and overseen the expansion of direct service programs, including the launch of CTFB’s inaugural on-site pantry, designed to offer neighbors fresh food, dignity, and choice. She has revitalized workforce development initiatives, bringing back the Culinary Training Program while introducing the Warehouse Training Program to provide job training and economic mobility.
Sari’s leadership has strengthened food access programs by doubling SNAP application assistance, tripling summer meal distribution for children, and creating the Mobile FARMacy to bring fresh food directly to communities. Her commitment to military hunger has led to the establishment of two military pantries with the ASYCMA and increased support for Fort Cavazos. She also led the groundbreaking of a 64,000-square-foot facility in Waco, a project set to significantly increase food distribution and enhance support for neighbors in CTFB’s nine northern counties.
Beyond these programs, Sari has redefined CTFB’s leadership approach, recruiting 12 new board members in a single year to ensure diverse perspectives, expertise, and a strategic vision for the future.
Reflecting on what drew her to this work, Sari explains, “Food banking was the first job I had where I felt challenged in a new and exciting way. It hit me quickly that all roads lead through the food bank — not only does everyone have to eat, but we can help children, older adults, single parents, veterans, and even pets.”
Through her leadership, CTFB has shifted its approach to hunger relief, balancing immediate food access with long-term, systemic solutions that help families build stability for the future.
From Lived Experience to Lasting Change
For Sari, food banking is not just a profession — it’s deeply personal.
Her journey began at just 10 years old, when she joined her temple in delivering food and water to families impacted by Hurricane Andrew in Miami-Dade County. A few years later, she organized a food drive for her Bat Mitzvah project, supporting what would later become Feeding South Florida — the very food bank where she would go on to serve as Executive Vice President.
But Sari’s connection to food insecurity runs deeper than volunteerism.
“We moved from New York to Florida because we couldn’t afford to live in New York anymore. A few times we had our lights turned off, bank accounts were seized by the IRS, and we rolled quarters to pay for groceries. Everything between my parents became about money, and the fights between my parents worsened. I would often lay in bed crying, feeling like I was the problem. When I was given the chance to try and ensure no other child felt that way, I knew I wasn’t going to waste it.”
Now, as a leader, Sari carries that experience with her every day.
“If not us, then who? If not now, then when? If we don’t exist, people don’t eat. If you go to the grocery store and it’s closed, you go back the next day or find another one. If you come to the food bank and we’re closed, you don’t eat. My why is because we must.”
Sari’s personal history fuels her relentless commitment to ensuring no child or family faces food insecurity alone.
Innovation in a Changing Landscape
The movement to increase food access is evolving. Inflation has driven up food costs, housing expenses have skyrocketed, and more families than ever are turning to food banks for support.
Under Sari’s leadership, CTFB has not just responded to these challenges — we are actively shaping solutions. She has led the shift from a downstream responder to an upstream problem-solver, ensuring that food banking is not just about meals but about economic empowerment and long-term security.
CTFB has strengthened data-driven decision-making, using real-time tracking to pinpoint food insecurity trends and develop targeted, proactive solutions. Moreover, organization has deepened its partnerships with policymakers and community leaders, working toward sustainable food system changes that address hunger at its root causes.
Sari explains this shift best: “I’ve brought an entirely different approach to the organization, moving from a downstream solution to becoming part of an upstream solution that helps break the cycle of hunger and poverty. We believe in taking a systemic long-term approach in addition to providing immediate access to food.”
Sari’s leadership has redefined how CTFB operates, ensuring that every decision made today creates a lasting impact for generations to come.
Women Leading the Way
Sari’s leadership is part of a larger movement — one where women are shaping the future of food banking.
At CTFB, women are leading the charge, from our Board Chair, Kathleen W. Farlow, to the many women guiding our programs, partnerships, and community outreach. Across the entire organization, women are not just at the table — they are driving the conversation, shaping policy, and building solutions.
"Sari is a force of nature — her leadership, vision, and drive have propelled the Central Texas Food Bank forward at an incredible pace. Her ability to turn bold ideas into action has not only accelerated the opening of our Waco facility but has also strengthened our ability to serve and empower neighbors across all 21 counties. She is transforming hunger relief in Central Texas, and it’s an honor to support her leadership," says Kathleen.
This commitment to leadership, inclusion, and service is what makes CTFB stronger.
“We serve with humility, ensuring a dignified experience for our neighbors, making their well-being the heart of what we do. My philosophies include ‘getting to yes’ and being the ‘first ones in and last ones out,’ which speak to our effort of service with dignity.”
Sari’s leadership is proof of what is possible when women take the lead to push boundaries and create meaningful, lasting change.
The Road Ahead
Under Sari’s leadership, CTFB is not just addressing today’s hunger needs — it is shaping a future where food insecurity is no longer a barrier to stability and opportunity.
CTFB’s new Waco facility is a cornerstone of this vision, increasing food distribution and support for neighbors in our nine northern counties. At the same time, CTFB is expanding workforce development programs, equipping individuals with skills, training, and resources to secure stable employment and achieve economic mobility.
To ensure lasting impact, CTFB is also enhancing data-driven strategies, tracking food insecurity in real time to develop targeted, proactive solutions. Through strategic partnerships and policy advocacy, Central Texas Food Bank is working toward systemic change that ensures long-term food security for all Central Texans.
Sari has brought bold ideas and decisive action to CTFB, ensuring that we are not only feeding families today but building a stronger, food-secure future for all.
Honoring Sari’s Leadership
Sari M. Vatske is a leader, a visionary, and an advocate — a woman who has turned her experiences into a force for good, reshaped food banking in Central Texas, and positioned CTFB as a leader in innovation, service, and impact.
Her leadership is more than a role — it’s a mission. Because of this, CTFB is stronger, more effective, and better equipped to serve our neighbors than ever before.
But most of all, another one of her key philosophies is to “take what we do seriously, but never yourself.”
