As of January 2, 2026, George A. Jones has served as the fearless leader of Bread for the City for thirty years. What began as a bold commitment has become a legacy—one built on vision, persistence, and an unwavering belief in what is possible when people come together for justice. 

Thirty years later, what stands out most to George isn’t the recognition — it’s the gratitude. “As I reflect on 2026 marking my 30th year at BFC, I feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside so many incredible stakeholders. It may sound cliché, but the saying, ‘If you do something you love, you never work a day in your life,’ truly resonates with me. My work at BFC has always been a labor of love—it has never simply felt like a job.” -George A. Jones

From the very beginning, George has led with clarity and courage. He sees beyond barriers, refuses to be slowed by naysayers, and brings people together  around a shared purpose. Day in and day out, he shows up—relentlessly—doing the hard work of leadership with humility and heart.

Under George’s leadership, Bread for the City has grown from a small, scrappy food pantry and free medical clinic with an annual budget of $1.2million into a much larger (though still scrappy!) multi-service organization with a budget exceeding $23 million. Alongside this growth, George has guided transformative building projects that expanded access and dignity for thousands of DC residents, including the creation of two comprehensive service centers in Ward 8 in 2000 and 2020, and the expansion of the Ward 2 center in 2011.

George is a steadfast advocate for economic and social justice, working to dismantle the systemic racism that perpetuates cycles of poverty for DC families. He leads with a belief in the fair and humane treatment of all people, grounded always in dignity and respect. For decades, George has been at the forefront of anti-racist and anti-poverty movements in the District and across the country—work he continues today as a Co-Founder of Anti-Racist DC and Chairman of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Whether hyper-local or national in scope, George’s work is rooted in repairing broken systems and policies so that race or ethnicity no longer predicts access, opportunity, or who is able to thrive.

The impact of George’s advocacy can be seen in policy wins that have improved lives of those he serves across the District. Working in partnership with Bread for the City’s expert staff and DC’s unparalleled network of community organizers and advocates, the past three decades have brought meaningful wins, including expanding DC’s Earned Income Tax Credit, banning the box on employment applications to protect justice involved workers, increasing access to harm reduction services, and protecting SNAP beneficiaries from losing critical food assistance, amongst many others.

George’s leadership and character are perhaps most powerfully felt in the small human moments. He packs grocery bags, shows up for staff and clients in moments of hardship and joy, lending a hand wherever it’s needed. During the COVID-19 shutdown, he personally delivered groceries and diapers to community members so staff could stay safe at home. He will drive clients to and from board meetings just to be sure they arrive and get home safely. He’s a family man, who will joyfully show you the latest photos of his grandbabies. Because, that’s who George is. 

Just as quietly—and just as fiercely—George has spent years fighting for the people who make Bread for the City possible. Alongside his dear friend and BFC’s late Chief Operating Officer, Jeannine Sanford, he laid the groundwork for a culture rooted in care, fairness, and dignity.

He has relentlessly advocated for affordable, high-quality health care, cost-of-living increases, and market-rate salaries. He established a retirement program with an employer match and set minimum salaries above DC’s so-called living wage with full benefits—because George believes that when staff are cared for, the entire community is stronger.

He does this work while also serving as a leader across the District. He volunteers his time as Chair of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, Chairman of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, Co-Founder of Anti-Racist DC, and as an active board member of DC Affordable Law Firm, DC Primary Care Association, and the Meyer Foundation.

George’s lifetime commitment to justice has been widely recognized. He was named Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Washington Business Journal in 2023, and was awarded the Cornelius R. “Neil” Alexander Humanitarian Award from the DC Office of Human Rights in 2019 and received Georgetown University’s John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award in 2015.

Earlier in his career, he received the Gelman, Rosenberg, and Freedman EXCEL Award and recognition from Mayor Anthony Williams. Under his leadership, Bread for the City has also earned numerous distinctions for excellence from institutions including The Washington Post, Johnson & Johnson, the District of Columbia government, the AMA Foundation, and the Olender Foundation—each reflecting the lasting impact of George’s vision and leadership.

Working for and alongside a leader like George A. Jones is a rare gift. His love for his family, the District, and all people is palpable. Bread for the City and Washington, DC are stronger because of him, his talents, and the gifts he shares so freely every day.  

Join us in celebrating George A. Jones and his 30 years of extraordinary service by leaving a comment below.