Montgomery County Food Bank Announces 2022 Gala Honorees

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Montgomery County Food Bank today announced its honorees for the Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala, presented by Woodforest National Bank. The Gala will take place Saturday, April 2, 2022 at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. The premier fundraising event's proceeds will benefit Montgomery County Food Bank’s programs and the thousands of food insecure children, families and seniors it serves.

The 2022 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala honorees include:

• Abundant Harvest at St. Isidore Episcopal, Partner Agency of the Year Award – The Food Bank has a network of over 70 partner agencies throughout Montgomery County. This award honors a partner agency for its unwavering and outstanding work in the fight against hunger. In 2021, Abundant Harvest Kitchen held weekly mobile food distributions at its location after business hours to ensure those in need were able to receive food even after its food pantry closed. It also went above and beyond its scope by hosting additional mobile distributions at another site in the county to provide much needed food assistance to an underserved area. The organization’s passion for serving the community is evident in its desire to expand its reach and provide food assistance to their clients in a dignified and humble manner. Abundant Harvest Kitchen also partnered with the Food Bank to provide home-cooked meals to the National Guard troops stationed at the Food Bank.

• Sam Houston State University School of Nursing, Volunteer Service Award – This award honors an organization for its invaluable volunteer service at the Food Bank. The students of Sam Houston State University’s School of Nursing began volunteering with Montgomery County Food Bank in 2018 to fulfill the service requirements of their degrees. Throughout each Fall and Spring semester since, the Food Bank has come to count on the students’ service on a regular basis. In the height of the pandemic, not only were the students working on the frontlines of healthcare in the community, but also continuing to dedicate much of their free time to volunteering at the Food Bank.

• Walmart Distribution Center in New Caney, Community Partner Award – This award honors an organization’s strong partnership with the Food Bank and its impact in the community. Walmart Distribution Center in New Caney is a strong retail partner of the Food Bank and is the top Walmart distribution center in the country. Because of its incredible volume, it was able to donate 3.6 million pounds of food to the Food Bank in 2021, which was then distributed to people facing hunger via the Food Bank’s partner agency network. Walmart Distribution Center in New Caney was quick to provide support during the Winter Storm Uri and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A true leader in the fight against hunger.

• Dan Cunningham, Betty Hardy Award - Betty Hardy is the Founder of Montgomery County Food Bank. This award is given to a volunteer who best exemplifies Betty Hardy’s servant heart and pioneering spirit. Dan Cunningham began volunteering with the Food Bank in April 2020 when the need for food assistance skyrocketed due to the pandemic. The Food Bank was challenged to provide a contactless way to serve those in need resulting in a major increase in mobile food distributions. Cunningham quickly became a key volunteer and faithful leader at offsite food distributions, specifically serving seniors at low-income housing complexes and local families throughout the community.

The Gala’s theme is “One For The Records,” spotlighting the record-breaking work of the Food Bank, its volunteers, and community partners in 2020 and 2021. Montgomery County Food Bank’s 2020 and 2021 Galas were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gala is presented by Woodforest National Bank, and its Platinum Sponsors are Kroger and Huntsman Corporation. Dr. Ann Snyder, who serves on both the Montgomery County Food
Bank’s and The Woodlands Township’s Board of Directors, serves as Honorary Chair of the event alongside Gala Chair, Amy Hollie.

“Each of the Gala honorees has played a significant role in the Food Bank’s record-breaking impact,” said Kristine Marlow, President and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “Their steadfast passion and support allowed Montgomery County Food Bank to remain a lifeline to the thousands of people facing hunger in our county during a very uncertain time. I look forward to celebrating our impact together in April.”

To learn more about the Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala, please visit mcfoodbank.org/gala. To purchase tickets or tables, visit https://one.bidpal.net/mcfbgala2022/welcome. For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, please contact development@mcfoodbank.org or 936.271.8822.