Tourism agency food drive continues through September

Donations of food, money help restock area food banks

UPPER MERION >> The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board continues its annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive — collecting food and monetary donations to help restock area food banks.

This is the fifth year for the effort that kicked off Sept. 9 and runs through Sept. 30. The goal for this year is to collect 6,000 pounds of food.

On Sept. 13, the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board hosted a special event that has become part of the initiative. Montgomery County Commissioners, Valerie Arkoosh, Kenneth Lawrence and Joseph Gale joined Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board President and CEO Mike Bowman — a former executive chef — and students from the Montgomery County Community College Culinary Art Institute to cook lunch for more than 150 people at Cecil and Grace Bean’s Soup Kitchen in Norristown. The group prepared salad, seasoned chicken breasts, vegetables (potatoes, squash, and carrots), rolls and dessert.

“It was an honor to cook for those in need, and serving them is such a humbling experience for our staff,” Bowman said in a statement. “We take this commitment to the community very seriously. We hope this event, and the food drive, raises awareness and educates the public to get involved.”

Canned goods can be dropped off at 10 locations throughout Montgomery County through Sept. 30. Donations benefit the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), a coalition of hunger relief organizations in Montgomery County. A map showing the drop off locations can be accessed by visiting https://www. valleyforge.org/hunger/ In addition, online monetary donations are being accepted.

The Freedom from Hunger Food Drive came about following the 2015 visit to the area by Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families. On his departure, the agency presented Pope Francis with a proclamation promising a charitable outreach in the Pope’s name. Email business story ideas to business editor/writer drovins@21st-centurymedia. com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board continues its annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive. Canned food donations will be accepted at 10 locations around Montgomery County through Sept. 30. Above, Mike Bowman, president and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, cooks lunch at a Sept. 13 event. Bowman, the Montgomery County Commissioners and students from the Montgomery County Community College Culinary Art Institute cooked lunch for more than 150 people at Cecil and Grace Bean’s Soup Kitchen in Norristown.

SUBMITED PHOTO Students from the Montgomery County Community College Culinary Art Institute cook lunch on Sept. 13 for more than 150 people at Cecil and Grace Bean’s Soup Kitchen in Norristown. The event was part of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive, which continues through September 30. The students joined the tourism board and the Montgomery County Commissioners for the event.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Montgomery County Commissioner Valerie Arkoosh helps prepare lunch for more than 150 people at Cecil and Grace Bean’s Soup Kitchen in Norristown on Sept. 13. The event was part of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive, which runs through Sept. 30.