MEET THE TEAM

Kim Collins

Executive Director

Kim was named the Executive Director of the Josephine County Food Bank in November 2019.

Her background was working with adults that struggled with addiction and opened the Adult & Teen Challenge Center in Bend, Oregon. This was one of the most meaningful times of her life.

Kim is married to her husband, Kris, and They have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys skydiving, riding motorcycles, traveling, and spending time with her dog.

Josephine Sze

Program Coordinator

Josephine joined the staff as the Administrative Assistant in June 2020. Originally from Asheville, NC she has lived in Southern Oregon for the last five years and has loved making this her new home.

Joining the staff at the Josephine County Food Bank has allowed her to continue her passion for food justice and food security.

In her spare time, she can be found with her partner and pup hiking, kayaking, gardening, and exploring the PNW and beyond.

Justin Nelson

Outreach Coordinator

Justin comes from a decade’s experience in construction as a carpenter and project manager and another decade in multifamily property management. He is thrilled to be joining the team at Josephine County Food Bank and the opportunity to help his community.

Justin is married to his wife, Sara. They are building a house together just outside of Grants Pass. He enjoys traveling, writing, being creative in the shop, motorcycle riding and outdoor activities of every kind.

Kristin Smith

Farm Manager

Kristin Smith graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Portland State University in 2013.

After working in the Portland school system, she changed courses hoping to make farming a career. Kristin joined Rogue Farm Corps, an intensive agriculture internship program, graduating in 2015.

In 2017, Kristin joined Raptor Creek Farm as the Farm Manager. She uses both her social work and agriculture background to develop Raptor Creek Farm’s programs.

Jeff Meier

Farm Hand

Jeff Meier graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

He worked with the Northwest Youth Corps for eight seasons, which allowed him extensive time in the backcountry leading crews of teenage & young adult participants in completing Forest Service sponsored conservation projects.   He also brings 10 years of native and invasive plant ecological restoration in the Rogue Valley. 

Jeff has volunteered on the farm for the last 4 years and now hired in 2020 as a farm assistant, he completes the team.

Jared Sexsmith

Farm Hand

Jared joined Raptor Creek Farm at Josephine County Food Bank as a volunteer in 2019 and was brought on as the Farm Assistant in the spring of 2020.

He has worked as a landscaper for the last four years before moving to Southern Oregon.

He enjoys hiking and camping in his spare time.

Larry Smith

Warehouse Manager

Larry has worked as the Director of the Grants Pass Dorcas for the last ten years, overseeing vital community-focused projects such as the soup kitchen, thrift store, and Dorcas Community Service: a multifaceted program helping those in need since 1986.

Larry has devoted his life to helping the homeless and needy and sees his role as a Warehouse Manager as an inherent way of continuing that mission.

When he has free time, Larry enjoys serving the community and racing radio-controlled trucks. We are very excited to have him on board!

Stephen Covrig

Warehouse Assistant

Stephen Covrig is a native of Grants Pass and joins the Food Bank team as an employee after volunteering his time in the warehouse.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in electrical engineering.

He recently spent time as a rock-climbing instructor in a youth camp at Camp Idahaven in McCall, Idaho. He enjoys rock-climbing, piano, and music in general, soccer, and pad Thai.

Tim Spurling

Food Recovery Specialist

After 40 years of truck driving and seeing all of the United States (multiple times!) Tim joined the Josephine County Food Bank staff as our Fresh Alliance Driver.

Originally from Freemont, CA Tim has called Grants Pass home since 1991. He is the father to two wonderful adult children and two cats.

Tim loves to travel, and on his off days you can catch him riding around town on his electric bike!

President
Jason Lewis

Vice-President
Sam Engle

Treasurer
Ben Smith

Secretary
Hillary Brownell