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September 11, 2017 Newsmakers

Jason Jakubowski | President and CEO, Foodshare

HBJ Photo | John Stearns Jason Jakubowski said he was attracted to Foodshare's top post because of the nonprofit's mission, feeding the hungry.
By John Stearns

There's a new leader at Foodshare, the Bloomfield-based food bank serving Hartford and Tolland counties, but he's a familiar face hungry to help his community.

Jason Jakubowski proved that in 1999 when, at 21, he was elected to the first of two terms on the New Britain city council. He was among five inspired young men newly or recently elected to government positions in Connecticut featured in a 2001 New York Times article as “The new generation,” and as having “more energy, more idealism, but less faith in an entrenched political system that is often ineffective.”

The up-and-comers included Chris Murphy, now U.S. senator; Kevin Graff, lobbying firm owner; T.R. Rowe, probate judge; and Tim Herbst, gubernatorial candidate.

Jakubowski's career includes director of corporate and community development at Charter Oak State College and, most recently, vice president of external relations at Hospital for Special Care.

On July 31, he joined Foodshare, a nonprofit with 2016 revenues of $30.2 million, including $24.1 million in donated food, and about 50 staff supported by 4,700 volunteers. It provided enough food for 11.5 million meals to 300 partner programs. He recently answered a few questions about his new job.

What's the biggest challenge facing Foodshare?

Fundraising. The amount of food donated is incredible, but it takes $6 million in monetary donations, plus in-kind support from volunteers to get food to those who need it.

What's the biggest challenge you face in your job?

Food banking is a new industry for me, but the work is still about helping people.

What's the biggest opportunity you face?

I have a terrific board that has confidence in me to reorganize and restructure the organization so we can have an even greater impact.

How would you describe the funding climate in your sector?

Connecticut's nonprofit sector is in a precarious financial position. A strength at Foodshare, though, is the super-majority of our revenue comes from private philanthropy, not government.

Tell us something about you many people don't know.

My wife, Sarah, and I have five children, including two sets of fraternal twins. Family is my No. 1 priority. It's all about balance.

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