Houston, we have a mission!… Montgomery County Food Bank’s “One Small Step” gala was a galactic success in the fight against hunger

THE WOODLANDS, TX – On Saturday, February 11, Montgomery County Food Bank hosted its annual Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. The gala honored several contributing organizations and encouraged the community to take action and unite together in the fight against hunger.

Titled “One Small Step,” and presented by Woodforest National Bank, this year’s gala theme was based on space exploration (mission-critical focuses) with guests dressing up in galactic chic attire and sporting some of the most unique galaxy-inspired outfits that would make Leonard Nimoy and John Glen proud.

Attendees were treated to a special traveling NASA exhibit with interesting video footage as well as the opportunity to touch a fragment of a moon rock. Multiple astronaut-looking outfits were placed in various parts of the ballroom as huge planetary elements hung from the ceiling. The dining room was decorated with space-themed industrial metal objects and clear balloons that looked like cool space bubbles adorning many of the tables.

There was a silent auction, a cash bar, a wine pull, a 360-degree photo/video booth as well as a live band. Even the DJ kept the space theme front and center with his inflatable green alien outfit and space-laced music. It was a night to remember for an important mission that was out of this world. Patti Smith (VP of Communications for Harris County Houston Sports Authority) served as emcee and along with former Houston Texans football player, J.J. Moses, conducted the evening’s call for donations to the Montgomery County Food Bank. The goal was to raise $150,000 and that goal was more than met through the generosity of The Woodlands community.

Jim and Leigh Ann Carman served as the Gala’s Honorary Chairs. Jim is the President of the Houston Region at The Howard Hughes Corporation and a member of the Food Bank’s Board of Directors. A special video was created showcasing the incredible mission that Montgomery County Food Bank spearheads in our community every day. This video was informative, and extremely creative while showcasing the acting skills of Jim Carman, Kristine Marlow (MCFB President & CEO), and many other MCFB contributors.

2023 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala honorees included:

H-E-B, Community Partner Award – This award honors an organization’s strong partnership with Montgomery County Food Bank and its impact in the community. H-E-B is a longstanding partner in the fight against hunger not only in Montgomery County, but throughout the entire Feeding Texas network. H-E-B offers guidance and support to Montgomery County Food Bank, collaborating on ways to further the Food Bank’s mission such as funding equipment purchases and donating nutritious food for distribution across the county. H-E-B promotes an annual Help End Hunger campaign in all its Montgomery County stores that spreads awareness of local food insecurity and raises donations that stay in the county for Montgomery County Food Bank. H-E-B is a true leader in the fight to end hunger.

Western Midstream, Volunteer Service Award – This award honors an organization for its outstanding volunteer service with Montgomery County Food Bank. In Montgomery County Food Bank’s 2021-2022 fiscal year, over 125 Western Midstream employees have volunteered their time in the Food Bank’s food sorting rooms, committing to a recurring shift on the first Friday of each month in 2022. The company encourages their employees to give back through hands-on service in the community. Their smiling faces and can-do attitudes bring about a joyful and uplifting vibe while they help in many different ways. Western Midstream has also served at many of Montgomery County Food Bank’s major fundraising events including Shootout Hunger and Stock The Sleigh. Western Midstream has quickly become an invaluable and reliable resource for the Food Bank and the thousands of food insecure neighbors it serves.

Compassion United, Partner Agency of the Year Award – The Food Bank has a network of over 80 partner agencies throughout Montgomery County. This award honors a partner agency for its unwavering and great work in the fight against hunger. In the Food Bank’s 2021-2022 fiscal year, Compassion Untied distributed about 430,000 meals to those in need through its food pantry, Terry’s Table. Compassion United also distributes food through its monthly mobile market at Lewis Park, serving 350 families at each distribution. When the Food Bank needed additional help directly serving neighbors in low-income apartment communities, Compassion United stepped up and took over distributions at Tall Timbers and Havenwood Apartments. Compassion United is a beacon of hope for food insecure residents in Montgomery County.

Hunger in our local communities is an ever-growing problem. Adults not having enough to eat, children suffering from malnutrition, and struggling families wondering where their next meal will come from are issues that our community addresses every day.

At Montgomery County Food Bank, their sole focus is to reduce both food waste and food insecurity by redirecting surplus food from their grocery retail partners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and community-level initiatives to local pantries and ultimately to those in need. Always keeping nutrition in mind, they focus on perishable and other high-nutrition groceries.

Last year Montgomery County Food Bank was able to provide over 9.6 million nutritional meals through its vast network of over 70 partner pantries, local school districts, and community partners.

ABOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK

Montgomery County Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger relief organization dedicated to uniting the community to fight hunger. Montgomery County Food Bank provides meals to families, seniors and children who lack access to wholesome nourishing food through a network of 80+ partner agencies, local school districts and community partners. Through partnerships with local retailers and wholesalers, Montgomery County Food Bank receives and purposefully distributes donated and surplus food. True to its mission, Montgomery County Food Bank works alongside volunteers, corporate and community partners, and nonprofit agencies to build a community where everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.
 
Montgomery County Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partner of Houston Food Bank, member of Feeding Texas and distribution partner of Feeding America. 

Click here to learn more about the Montgomery County Food Bank.