At The Core is a Spokane-based nonprofit created to support children facing food insecurity, especially during weekends when school meals are not available. The organization was founded when community members saw a growing need and realized that compassion alone was not enough. There needed to be a system, partnerships, and long-term support.
At The Core supports the Bite2Go program by building relationships with schools, nurturing partnerships with Adoptive Organizations, and working closely with Second Harvest Inland Northwest. Together, these partners ensure food is sourced and delivered efficiently to students who need it. Through this collaborative approach, Bite2Go has grown into a reliable, community-powered program that helps students arrive at school nourished and ready to learn.
Who We Are
Our Story
At The Core was born from a simple but powerful question: “What can we do to help the children in our community who are going hungry?” Seventeen years ago, Brenna and Chris Sloan — parents, neighbors, and community leaders in the Mead area — were approached by a local social worker who gently shared a troubling truth: children in their community were going without enough food over the weekends.
Chris, then serving as a youth pastor, and Brenna, with a heart for serving families, were initially surprised. They did not realize hunger was affecting students in their own community. But once they understood the need, they took action. With a small group of volunteers, they began packing simple weekend meals and discreetly placing food into backpacks for just 22 children.
As the need became more visible, community leaders stepped forward to help strengthen and expand the effort. Tom Stevenson, who now serves as President of At The Core and continues to lead Bite2Go, played a critical role in shaping the early growth of the program. With Tom’s leadership and the support of churches, businesses, and families, the vision moved from a small volunteer effort to a sustainable, community-wide initiative.
From the beginning, partnership has been essential. Working closely with Second Harvest Inland Northwest, At The Core helps ensure food is sourced, packed, and delivered efficiently to schools across the region. What started with 22 children grew into Bite2Go, a program that now provides weekend food to more than 12,000 students throughout the Inland Northwest.
As the program expanded, Brenna, Chris, and Tom formally established At The Core to provide structure, stewardship, and long-term sustainability for the work. They believed that when a community comes together with shared purpose and steady leadership, meaningful change can happen.
Today, At The Core stands as a reflection of that belief. In partnership with Second Harvest and hundreds of Adoptive Organizations, volunteers, and school leaders, Bite2Go serves nearly 12,000 students each week, ensuring they have the food they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Board of Directors
Tom Stevenson
Tom Stevenson serves as the volunteer President of At The Core and is a co-founder of the Bite2Go program. He spent 35 years with Moss Adams CPAs in Spokane, including 20 years as Managing Partner. Tom has a long history of community leadership and has served as Chairman of the Board for Spokane County United Way, the Spokane Economic Development Council, and the Spokane Visitors and Convention Bureau. Tom is passionate about Bite2Go because it invites businesses, churches, and families to adopt schools, meet weekend hunger needs, and respond to what schools say their students need most.
TJ Brill
TJ Brill grew up in Spokane and graduated from Eastern Washington University. He has been involved with Bite2Go for more than 10 years and brings nearly 30 years of experience in banking as the Pacific Northwest Market Executive for Idaho Central Credit Union. TJ and his wife have been together for 30 years and have one son who will graduate high school this year and attend college on a golf scholarship. TJ is passionate about Bite2Go because he understands food insecurity firsthand and believes every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Scott Morris
Scott Morris is a proud Spokane native and, along with his wife Liz, has been a Bite2Go sponsor of Grant Elementary School since 2018. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Gonzaga University and served on the Gonzaga University Board of Trustees for 17 years, including a three-year term as Chairman. Scott worked at Avista for more than 38 years, serving as President, Chairman, and CEO from 2008 until his retirement in 2020, and he continues to serve as Chairman of Avista’s board. Scott is passionate about Bite2Go because no child can learn if they are hungry, and strong education starts with meeting basic needs.
Sara Wittwer
Sara Wittwer is a Spokane community leader with a heart for service, education, and collaboration. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in education and spent four years teaching before stepping into ministry at Life Center Church, where she now serves as Outreach Pastor. Sara works alongside her husband, Michael, the Lead Pastor, and together they are raising their four children. Sara is passionate about Bite2Go because it builds meaningful partnerships that bring hope and tangible support to families in need.
Fondra Magee
Fondra Magee is a school counselor at Stevens Elementary School and has been a champion of the Bite2Go program for more than a decade after seeing its impact on students and families firsthand. In 2024, she was named Washington School Counselor of the Year and received the James E. Chase Adult Award for her contributions to youth in the Spokane community. Fondra also serves on the Whitworth University School Counseling Professional Advisory Board and the Spokane Public Schools crisis team. Fondra is passionate about Bite2Go because she has seen how consistent nutrition directly supports student learning and well-being.
Chris Sloan
Chris Sloan is a lifelong Spokane resident and a co-founder of At The Core and the Bite2Go program. He serves as the Executive Director of Generation Alive, where he focuses on community engagement and programs that inspire students to learn and lead with compassion. Chris received his degree in business marketing from Eastern Washington University and brings experience in leadership, marketing, and nonprofit development. Chris is passionate about Bite2Go because it connects the community directly to the needs of its most valuable future asset, its kids.
Dave Troyke
Dave Troyke grew up in the Chicagoland area and holds a BA and MS from Illinois State University. He moved to Spokane in 1978 and spent many years with Caterpillar and Western States Cat before transitioning to a career as a financial advisor. Dave retired in 2010 and has since served on the boards of several nonprofits. Dave is passionate about Bite2Go because he makes regular deliveries and has experienced firsthand the gratitude and impact of the program.
John O’Dell
John O’Dell has lived in Spokane for more than 20 years and has dedicated his career to serving students as a teacher, administrator, and high school principal. He works closely with educators, families, and community partners to support student success across middle and high school settings. John is passionate about Bite2Go because he sees the positive impact the program has on students’ lives every day.
Scott Langhans
Scott Langhans serves as the pastor of Mission Church, one of the first adoptive organizations to partner with the Bite2Go program in 2014. He has been married to his wife Amy for 22 years, and together they have three children. Scott enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and competing as an IRONMAN triathlete. Scott is passionate about Bite2Go because it is a practical and meaningful way to care for neighbors and support families in need.
Brenna Sloan
Brenna Sloan was born and raised in Spokane and co-founded At The Core and the Bite2Go program in 2012 with a heart for supporting students and families in her own community. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in education and currently serves as At The Core’s secretary and treasurer. Brenna has been married for 28 years and has three grown children. Brenna is passionate about Bite2Go because it gives people a simple, tangible way to make a direct difference in the lives of kids and their success right here in our community.
Jeff K. Johnson
Jeff K. Johnson is the former President of Black Commercial Inc. and spent more than 50 years in the real estate industry working with local businesses, investors, and Fortune 500 companies on commercial development and investment. Jeff is the author of the real estate investing book Cash Flow Forever and now focuses on assisting long-term clients and serving his community. Jeff is passionate about Bite2Go because he believes every child deserves support and stability, and he values the collaborative effort that helps meet kids’ basic needs.
Steve Barnes
Steve Barnes was born and raised in Spokane and is a proud graduate of Spokane Public Schools. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Eastern Washington University and later completed his superintendent’s credential at Washington State University. Steve is married to his wife Peggy, who dedicated 38 years to teaching primary grades, and together they have two children and three grandchildren. With more than 40 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in elementary education, Steve has seen firsthand how food security and proper nutrition impact student learning. Steve is passionate about Bite2Go because he sees the program making a meaningful difference in schools every week, supporting students one at a time.
Advisory Board Members
Shannon Kinney
Shannon Kinney has called Spokane home her entire life and earned her degree in finance from Eastern Washington University. She has worked at Second Harvest since 2011, supporting children and families facing food insecurity across the region. As a parent of two, Shannon understands how access to nutritious food supports learning and growth. Shannon is passionate about Bite2Go because it meets a basic need that helps children show up ready to learn and succeed.
Julie Myklebust
Julie Myklebust moved to Spokane in 2007 with her husband and daughter, with a son on the way. After a long career in merchandising as a women’s clothing buyer in the designer fashion and outdoor industries, Julie felt called to do something more meaningful - work that would truly impact people’s lives.Julie is passionate about Bite2Go because, as a mom, she knows one simple truth: kids are always hungry. When kids have enough to eat, they have a better chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Working alongside a community that cares about kids is the greatest job there is.
Kristen Mayes
Kristen Mayes is a Spokane native and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Eastern Washington University and her MBA from Webster University. She owned Idea Rockets Design, a graphic design business, for more than 20 years and brings both creativity and strategic experience to her work. Kristen and her husband have one son who attends Gonzaga University. Her heart for service began as a teenager and has grown into a lifelong dedication to supporting children and individuals with physical disabilities. She has volunteered with Bite2Go since 2016 and recently, she and her husband adopted Ponderosa Elementary. Kristen is passionate about Bite2Go because she believes every child deserves access to food so they can focus today and build hope for tomorrow.
Steve Durham
Steve Durham joined Second Harvest Inland Northwest in June 2021 and soon after became part of the Bite2Go team. His professional background includes management experience across several industries, including construction and e-commerce. Originally from New England, Steve worked his way west with stops in Chicago, Colorado, and Montana before moving to Spokane in 2009 with his wife, Anna. They have called the Lilac City home ever since. Steve is passionate about Bite2Go because of his own experience as an at-risk youth who benefited from the support and intervention of caring adults, and he believes every child deserves that same opportunity to succeed.