Montgomery County Food Bank Asks Community to Participate in Holiday Food and Funds Drive

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) announced its annual holiday food and funds drive, Stock The Sleigh, will run from November 1 until December 1 with a festive drop off event Friday, December 2, 2022 at the Food Bank. This year’s Presenting Sponsors are Kodiak Gas Services and Woodforest National Bank. The event’s Spirit of Giving Sponsors include Amazon + SNAP, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Scott Law Firm and Southwestern Energy.

In 2021, Stock The Sleigh had a record breaking year raising over 95,000 pounds of food and $65,000 in monetary donations from the community. These donations helped provide over 400,000 meals for Montgomery County residents facing hunger. This year, MCFB’s goal is to raise one million meals to meet the increased need this holiday season.

“One million meals is an ambitious goal,” said Kristine Marlow, President and CEO of MCFB. “But if there’s one thing I know for certain it’s that Montgomery County is a generous community. At Montgomery County Food Bank, our mission is to unite the community to fight hunger, and we believe that our county will answer the call and help us reach our goal. The need is great right now as the costs of food, fuel and other necessities continue to rise. Our neighbors need your help, so please join us in the fight hunger this holiday season.”

Help Montgomery County Food Bank reach its goal by:

1. HOSTING A FOOD DRIVE – Montgomery County residents, businesses, civic organizations and schools are encouraged to join the Food Bank in the fight against hunger by participating in the Stock The Sleigh food drive. To get started, interested parties should visit mcfoodbank.org/stockthesleigh to register their food drive and download the helpful food drive toolkit packet.

MCFB encourages food drive participants to join the ‘Deck The Box’ collection box decorating contest. Entrees can be submitted by hashtagging #StockTheSleighContest2022 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Food Bank’s most needed items include:

• Canned meat or pouches (tuna, chicken, spam)

• Grains (rice, pasta, macaroni & cheese)

• 100% fruit juices

• Canned vegetables (low sodium, no salt added)

• Canned or dry beans

• Peanut butter

• Canned fruits (light syrup or its own juices)

• Hot and cold cereals (oatmeal, cheerios, corn flakes)

• Healthy snacks (raisins, granola bars, protein bars)

• Monetary donations ($1 provides up to five meals)

Stock The Sleigh food collections should be dropped off Friday, December 2 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at MCFB located at 1 Food For Life Way, Conroe, TX, 77385. The festive drop off event will celebrate the community’s impact with holiday fun, sweet treats, pictures with Santa, and more. Whether donors are bringing one bag or a truckload of food, everyone is welcome to attend.

2. BECOMING AN ORNAMENT FUNDRAISER LOCATION - Stock The Sleigh ornaments have a QR code that allow companies' network of customers, clients, employees, etc. to make a donation directly to the Food Bank. The donor can then fill out their ornament to be displayed on a company’s Christmas tree, windows, walls, etc. To become an ornament fundraiser location, fill out the ornament fundraiser form found at mcfoodbank.org/stockthesleigh and send it to development@mcfoodbank.org. MCFB will add participating companies’ names to its donation site so donors can select where they donated, and MCFB can track how much the organization raised for the Food Bank.

3. BECOMING A SPONSOR - Stock The Sleigh sponsorship opportunities are available but sell out quickly. To secure a sponsorship, fill out the sponsorship form found at mcfoodbank.org/stockthesleigh and send it to development@mcfoodbank.org.

For questions about Stock The Sleigh, contact Kathy Rifaat, Director of Development at krifaat@mcfoodbank.org or 936.271.8822.