George Jones is executive director for Bread for the City, a private nonprofit organization that provides low-income residents of D.C. with food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services. The agency is serving a record number of households despite decreasing food donations. Jones became the agency’s executive director in 1996.
How did you become involved with Bread for the City?
I’ve been doing this work all my life. My first job was as a counselor at a mental health center in Virginia, and I spent seven years working with the homeless in downtown Los Angeles. When I moved east, I was at the age when I wanted to lead an effort on my own, and it just so happened there was an opening that fit my background at Bread for the City.
How does the program work?
The different programs are holistically designed to provide support for those with very low incomes. The average income is $7,000 a year. We help people with a number of things, including clothing, primary health care and social services like counseling and case management. We provide referrals to a number of services.
How is Bread for the City funded?
We raise $5 million a year for operations, mostly from charitable sources.
What is the greatest challenge of running the agency?
Trying to raise funds and keep support coming for the work we do … and seeing the poor in the horrific conditions many of them endure and live with and trying to do a little bit for them every day.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your job?
You don’t do this work without feeling you want to make a difference. … We also have 2,000 volunteers who share that value. We don’t always solve the problems, but every day I do think we help people make their lives a little better.
