MORGANTOWN — Empty Bowls Monongalia recently held its 2019 Campaign Kick-off at Mon Health Medical Center, where a new partnership was announced.
According to a press release, David Goldberg, CEO of Mon Health, said the health system will actively support Empty Bowls’ mission of meeting the needs of the food-insecure population of Monongalia County through a new collaborative partnership beginning in 2019.
Each year, individuals and organizations providing significant support to Empty Bowls are honored. This year, the board recognized Peggy Elwood with Country Roads Quilt Shop, Westover United Methodist Church’s retired Pastor Jo, Linda Hall’s Turkish Bazaar and Parade of Pearls, City Neon and Carol Atkins and Nick Atkins of Commercial Land Development.
Donors were recognized for their financial contributions as well. At the Diamond Level were PNC Bank and George Lilley and Mavis Grant-Lilley, according to the release. Emerald Level donors were the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust and Black Diamond Realty. Acknowledged at the Ruby Level were Triple S Harley-Davidson’s Chili Cookoff, G. Corey Farris and Mountain Loggers.
Jerrey Hoyt, executive director of Empty Bowls, said without this support and that of so many others, Empty Bowls’ goals could not be met.
“A special thanks to the agencies we work with who are providing outstanding, direct support to the more than 16,000 individuals in Mon County who face food insecurity each day,” Hoyt said said in the release. “Empty Bowls is an organization that relies heavily upon volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of Empty Bowls. And a heartfelt thanks to the donors who give generously each year; without them, Empty Bowls would not exist.”
A goal of $210,000 for the 2019 Combat Hunger campaign was announced, an increase of $30,000 over 2018’s goal. Hoyt said while the goal is ambitious, the needs of those facing food insecurity in Mon County continue to grow.
