Annual food drive surpasses goal

Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board effort is a promise made to Pope Francis

UPPER MERION » It started with a promise a promise made to Pope Francis by the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board during the world Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in 2015.

The tourism agency pledged, then, to create an annual food drive — the Valley Forge Freedom From Hunger Food Drive.

This year’s effort took place during the last two weeks of September, and for the third consecutive year, the agency surpassed its goal for food donations.

More than 4,800 pounds of food were collected this year, bringing the three-year total to more than 9,000 pounds of food collected to help feed those in need in Montgomery County. The goal for this year’s effort was 4,500 pounds of food.

“We are ecstatic to have exceeded our goal by more than 300 pounds for this year’s Valley Forge Freedom From Hunger Food Drive thanks to the generosity of those who made food and monetary donations,” Mike Bowman, president and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, said in a release. “It is so important to the VFTCB that we keep our commitment to run this annual food drive and support our residents in Montgomery County, especially those who are in times of need.”

As part of this year’s initiative, staff from the tourism agency and the Montgomery County commissioners worked alongside Manna on Main Street employees and students from the Culinary Arts Institute at Montgomery County Community College Sept. 26 to prepare meals for Manna’s guests.

Bowman — who is a former executive chef with more than

SUBMITTED PHOTO Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board staff and the Montgomery County commissioners joined Manna on Main Street staff Sept. 26 to prepare and serve a three course dinner to 100 Manna guests. Shown here, from left, are Manna on Main Street head chef...

SUBMITTED PHOTO Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board President and CEO Mike Bowman, center, puts the finishing touches on the first course in a three-course meal served to more than 100 Manna on Main Street guests Sept. 26. The event fell during the tourism...