Feed the ego: Charity’s founder refuses to quit

Feed The Children’s founder, Larry Jones, has been fired but says he’ll fight the termination in court. The tragedy is that this man simply can’t conceive of the organization continuing without him.

Jones previously agreed to give up operational control of a charity that he ran for 30 years. He agreed to continue serving as a spokesman and fundraiser, a key role for any charity that depends on donations.

Scandal after scandal has rocked Feed The Children under Jones’ leadership, but revelation of these problems is likely not well known outside of the city in which the charity is based.

Thus, Feed The Children remains a viable conduit for money to relieve suffering and ease hunger. Jones deserves credit for all that he’s done but also criticism for his mistakes — including authorizing hidden microphones in the offices of three Feed The Children executives.

His response to being fired: "There’s going to be thousands of children go hungry this Christmas ...”

This is insufferable dialogue from a man who could have stepped down years ago instead of being forced to leave now. In effect, Jones is saying that Feed The Children is viable only if he’s alive and fully involved.

Every charity comes about because people with a vision work hard to fight the good fight. Ultimately, though, the organization is more important than its founder.

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