Chester County Food Bank Names Andrea Youndt New CEO

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Image via the Chester County Food Bank
Andrea Youndt

The Chester County Food Bank has named Andrea Youndt as its new Chief Executive Officer. Youndt, who began her position on Jan. 4, succeeds Larry Welsch, who retired from the organization at the end of December after serving more than 10 years as the Founding Executive Director.

Youndt’s extensive nonprofit experience includes nearly 20 years with regional YMCAs, where she served as Executive Director, District Vice President, and most recently as Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.

“The Chester County Food Bank is an admired organization in the county, and I am honored to have been selected to continue the work that Larry started with the organization,” said Youndt. “I am looking forward to joining the CCFB team of passionate and talented professionals.”

The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization in Chester County, serving more than 120 network partners such as food cupboards, shelters, and senior centers. The Food Bank distributes more than 3.2 million pounds of food and has seen at least a 30 percent increase in need since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

“I am in awe of the work of the Food Bank and its network of community partners,” said Youndt. “I look forward to bringing my experience to this talented team as we continue to ensure access to real, healthy food and to prepare for the post-COVID rebuilding.”

“We had a tremendous response to the CEO position – applicants from near and far,” said Bob McNeil, Founding (and current) Chairman of CCFB. “Andrea’s energy and passion for Chester County, along with her extensive strategic planning and relationship building with the YMCA, made her a standout for the role of CEO. Larry made an outstanding legacy at the Food Bank. The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Andrea as she makes her place with this team of extraordinary people that have an admirable passion for the mission of the Food Bank.”

“The role of Executive Director has been the greatest opportunity of my career,” said Welsch. “I had the privilege of learning from the staff, agencies, donors, and clients, and for that I am eternally grateful. I have no doubt of the compassion that Andrea will bring to CCFB and the community. I am excited to watch her journey.”

Youndt possesses a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University. A native of Lancaster County, Youndt now resides in Kennett Square. Also, she has led 12 mission trips to Peru, through the Bread for the Children program, over the past 18 years.

Click here to learn more about the Chester County Food Bank.

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