Shane Rock has been hired as the interim executive director of the Ballard Food Bank and will spend several months assessing the needs of the program.

"I will look at the organization's history, what is good, what can be improved and see if all the critical services are meeting the needs," said Rock.

He will report his findings to the Ballard Food Bank's Board of Directors. Rock plans to be on the job through the end of September.

Rock has been director of the Sharehouse Furniture Bank and as executive director of the Washington Low Income Home Alliance.

Rock said the food bank is a great organization and hopes to find ways to make it even stronger.

"I will make recommendations on how to meet the mission of serving the low income people of Ballard," said Rock.

The first step is coming up with a long-term plan so the agency can do a better job of serving the community said Rock. He also will assist the board in hiring a new director to replace John Simpson.

"It's quite a massive undertaking. We have a variety of basic emergency services for people," he said.

Rock said the food band provided 80,000 pounds of food during the month of March. He estimates an average of 2,700 to 3,400 clients visit the agency each month. There are many repeat visits.

With only a staff of three, the organization relies on 163 volunteers to help with the food bank operations, meal programs, mail services, clothing bank and other areas.

"Almost everyone is from Ballard. So it is really neighbors helping neighbors," said Rock.

Financially, there is a solid foundation of donors.

"The food bank is amazing. (Last year) 1,600 individuals and businesses contributed," said Rock.

The Ballard Rotary is donating money from their annual auction on June 1 at the Leif Erikson Lodge to the food bank. Food chain Trader's Joe is donating money for every home run hit by the Seattle Mariners this year to the Ballard Food Bank.

The address is 7001 23rd Avenue N.W. Call 789-7800 or visit http://www.ballardfoodbank.org.