The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s (VFTCB) 10th Annual Fall Freedom from Hunger Drive collected the monetary equivalent of 154,188 pounds of food ($12,849).
“We love to see local businesses step up to serve and give back to their community,” said Rachel Riley, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the VFTCB, and a Board Member for the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN). “That’s part of what the Freedom from Hunger drive is all about, making sure we’re taking care of our neighbors.”
The VFTCB partners with MAHN — a coalition of hunger relief organizations working together to keep families stable with food assistance — to help provide resources to over 70 food pantries, banks, and free meal providers that feed those who are food insecure in Montco. In Montco, food pantries surveyed by MAHN between the start and end of 2023 saw a 60.7 percent increase in the number of visits to each pantry.
“This support helps our pantries so much right now as they struggle to keep enough food to feed more people,” said Shannon Isaacs, Executive Director for MAHN, which is also celebrating 10 years. “It’s proof that we can fight hunger together when we stand up to care for our neighbors in our community. We can’t thank the tourism board and those who donated enough.”
In addition to dozens of individual donations, several Montgomery County businesses donated either directly to the drive, or through sales proceeds such as Highmark Blue Shield donating $5,000 — the monetary equivalent of 60,000 pounds of food.
“We are committed to improving health outcomes in our communities by providing access to nutritious food and are proud to support the Freedom from Hunger Drive in addressing this critical need,” said Ken Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Highmark Blue Shield. “Highmark is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside organizations like the VFTCB and the other community and business partners involved to make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.”
Workhorse Brewing Company also contributed $1 for every Oktoberfest draft sold on Fridays from September through October.
“At Workhorse Brewing Company, we are passionate about brewing great beer and making a positive impact in our community,” said Mariana Nelson, Director of Sales & Marketing for Workhorse. “Participating in the Freedom from Hunger campaign allowed us to leverage our platform to address food insecurity head-on. We believe that access to nutritious food is a basic human right, and through our involvement in this campaign, we’re dedicated to supporting local initiatives that provide meals and resources to those in need.”
Other VFTCB member partners who participated include:
- Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery in Lansdale: $1 donated for every frozen wine slushie sold from September through October.
- Bartaco in King of Prussia: For every chicken karaage taco sold, Bartaco donated a portion of sales.
- Blossom Café in Skippack: donated $1 for each Brown Sugar Cardamom Shaken Espresso purchased during September.
- Sweet Ashley’s in Royersford: $10 donated from every Snack Box special.
- And, Aneu Kitchen in Paoli: $1 from every smoothie purchase at the Paoli location weekdays Monday through Friday, September through October.
A few other organizations donated directly, or through the VFTCB’s Annual Lunch: King of Prussia Mall, Madden Media, Fogo de Chao, The Reliable Companies, Conlin’s Print, Black Powder Tavern, Simpleview, Home2Suites by Hilton KOP, Proving Grounds, Wurzak Hotel Group, Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine, Karley’s Rentals, and PPL.
The Spring Freedom from Hunger Drive raised the monetary equivalent of 38,040 pounds of food. Both King of Prussia Mall and Innovative Catering Concepts donated the monetary equivalent of 6,000 pounds of food for the spring drive.
The Freedom from Hunger Food Drive benefits all people accessing food pantry services and was created as a farewell “gift” to Pope Francis in 2015 when the Pontiff stayed in Montgomery County at the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. To date, the VFTCB has collected more than 454,188 pounds of food to feed the hungry in Montco. Learn more about donating here.
What is now known as the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network was founded in 2014 to help food pantries share food and strengthen the food safety net in Montgomery County. Since then, MAHN has contributed to county food safety net resilience by establishing and building a network of 71 historically siloed food pantries and free meal providers and developing a highly valued, countywide Food Resource Program. If anyone needs assistance, view the list of MAHN’s food pantries and soup kitchens, hours, as well as other resources here.
Learn more at VFTCB. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions, and services.
