FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2013
Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Email: Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today launched the second annual “Governor’s Bowl” food and fund drive. The “Governor’s Bowl” campaign began on Memorial Day and continues to Independence Day, in an effort to keep Virginia’s food banks stocked during the critical summer months.
Speaking about the contest, Governor McDonnell said, “The first annual Governor’s Bowl was an unprecedented statewide effort to reduce hunger in the Commonwealth. Today I renew my challenge to both the private and public sector so that together we may cement this tradition in Virginia in perpetuity. I am confident that our partners at the Virginia Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, and state government agencies will build upon last year’s extraordinary success. Ending hunger starts with each of us, and Virginia’s civic and business leaders.”
Governor McDonnell asked participants to strive to surpass the high bar set in 2012. Total donations equaled over 740,419 pounds of food benefiting the over a million Virginians served by food banks each year. The winning Chambers of Commerce and the winning state agencies will again be awarded Governor’s Bowls. Both chambers and state agencies will be organized by size with small, medium, and large chambers competing with their peer groups. The award Bowls, one-of-a-kind handcrafted ceramic bowls created by potters Rick Erickson and Kendra Spicer of Farmville, will be awarded to participants who raise the most pounds, or the most pounds per capita.
More than 100 regional Chambers of Commerce and more than 100 state agencies participated in the 2012 competition. Governor’s Bowls were awarded to Chambers in Buchanan County, Greater Augusta, Greater Richmond, and to the Virginia Board of Accountancy. These winners will be looking to repeat their wins in 2013.
Lisa M. Hicks-Thomas, Secretary of Administration, said, “State employees rise to the challenge time and again – and the 2013 Governor’s Bowl will be no exception. Our public servants continue their dedication to their fellow Virginians long after they leave the workplace each day. Through the Governor’s Bowl and annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign community service initiatives, it is clear that state employees are committed to working with our friends in the private sector to end hunger in Virginia.”
Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, said, “The Federation of Virginia Food Banks is thrilled that the Governor’s office and the Chamber of Commerce offices are partnering with us to benefit their local food banks again this year. Summertime is one of the most challenging times to keep our distribution centers filled with food and this statewide effort will make a huge difference to Virginians in need of emergency food assistance.”
President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Barry DuVal said, “On behalf of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to encourage local chambers to join the Governor’s Bowl – Food & Fund Drive. I welcome the participation of the Virginia state agencies as we work together using friendly competition and look forward to working with the Governor, Virginia food banks and regional chambers to make this competition a success and to reduce hunger in Virginia.”
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The students of the 4th grade classes at Hartwood Elementary School have been busy. Last month the students held a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds to feed hungry families. Each student collected donations from sponsors and then committed to walking 2 miles to raise funds to feed the hungry of our community. At the check presentation on Friday, students presented Dayna Klein from the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank with a check in the amount of $981.08 to help purchase food. These funds will provide over 2,900 meals back to the hungry right here in Planning District 16. Thank you to all of the staff and students of the 4th grade classes at Hartwood Elementary for your efforts in helping to create a hunger-free community.
This year our community donated 71,196 pounds of non-perishables to the NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive!! That brings our areas total pounds contributed throughout the years to 380,216 pounds!!!!!
