July 2025 (ST. LOUIS) – Operation Food Search (OFS) is pleased to announce Darcella Craven has joined the agency as Director of Government & Community Relations. Craven brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and government relations, along with a proven track record in regulatory advocacy and community engagement.
Craven oversees the Government & Community Relations Department and will lead efforts to create systemic change through community-based networks and legislative advocacy. Her responsibilities include developing and guiding legislative strategies in Missouri and Illinois, fostering systems-level change through cross-functional initiatives, and cultivating strong relationships with federal, state, and local government entities, civic organizations, and community stakeholders.
“Darcella brings an exceptional combination of strategic vision and hands-on experience in regulatory advocacy and community engagement,” said OFS President & CEO Kristen Wild. “Her extensive expertise in government relations and her ability to foster meaningful partnerships will help expand our mission’s reach, ensuring more people across the region have access to nutritious food.”
Craven most recently served as Regional Advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy from 2023 to 2025, where she was federally appointed to design and execute strategic initiatives building regional support for national regulatory flexibility legislation across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Craven serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she teaches entrepreneurship.
###
About Operation Food Search
Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is an independent hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. For more information, call (314) 726-5355 or visit www.OperationFoodSearch.org.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Brown | Lisa.Brown@OperationFoodSearch.org | (314) 944-6159
Amanda Galloway | amanda@amandacookpr.com | (314) 598-0544
