Another Unfair Swipe at Second Harvest

To the Editor:

Once again, The Chronicle takes a gratuitous swipe at Second Harvest in reporting the departure of its chief executive, Christine Vladimiroff (“Second Harvest Chief to Depart in July,” June 18). Those of us who follow Second Harvest closely — I am a former employee and a long-time funder — know that Ms. Vladimiroff’s legacy, rather than being “mixed,” is one of which any C.E.O. would be proud.

In a challenging climate for anti-hunger organizations, she led Second Harvest into an era of growth and stability, at the same time increasing its visibility and credibility with the food industry and the country’s diverse anti-hunger community. To imply that Ms. Vladimiroff and Second Harvest exercise a detrimental stranglehold over the industry — and that both are somehow responsible for the products the industry chooses to donate — evidences a misunderstanding of Second Harvest, food banks, and Christine Vladimiroff’s extraordinary contributions to both.

Susan Cramer
Executive Director
Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Los Angeles