This week the Capital Area Food Bank like so many other organizations and individuals were stunned to learn of the sale of The Washington Post to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Without question, Bezos is well-equipped in running one of Washington’s greatest institutions. However, we can not help reflect upon our long history with the Graham family and the paper at the mention of this transition.
The Grahams’ philanthropic endeavors are well noted, and this is no exception in their work to help feed people at risk of hunger in the Washington metro area. As of late, the Grahams and The Washington Post were instrumental in helping CAFB move into its new facility.
A recent Facebook posting CAFB Board Chairman Greg Ten Eyck wrote captures the sentiment many CAFB employees and partners feel:
A Changing of the Guard
Sad to learn today that the Grahams are selling The Washington Post. As a Journalism grad, it was an honor and privilege to work in the Post Sports department while a student at Maryland and after graduation for almost a year. Still have my… employee ID, as pictured here. Later in my career, I had the unbelievable experience of sitting with Katherine Graham in the Post‘s suite watching a Wizards game on opening night of the MCI Center in 1997. And over the past several years, it’s been a pleasure to get to know Don Graham as a dear friend of the Capital Area Food Bank, of which I am Board Chair. So the passing of this era of ownership at the Post makes me reflect on the impact the paper has made on my life. I will continue reading the Post every day, but it will be different without the Graham family in control.