What started as a farewell gift to Pope Francis — who stayed in Montgomery County in 2015 during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia — has turned into a successful annual event.

The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s fourth annual Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger Food Drive this fall exceeded a record goal of 5,000 pounds — collecting more than 5,300 pounds of food donations.

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Each year since the drive started, the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board has increased its goal. To date, more than 14,000 pounds of food have been collected to feed the hungry in Montgomery County.

“Each year, we’re astounded by the generosity of this community,” Mike Bowman, president and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, said in a press release. “Keeping our commitment to support those in need in Montco is extremely important to us. So, we’re beyond grateful to all of those who made food and monetary donations.”

The food drive, which was held in September, collected donated canned goods at various drop-off locations throughout the county, as well as online monetary donations.

The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board kicked off this year’s drive by lending a hand to help underserved individuals at a Norristown community food shelter.

A former executive chef, Bowman, worked alongside Montgomery County Commissioners and Culinary Arts Institute at Montgomery County Community College members to cook an afternoon meal for between 100 and 150 people at Haws Kitchen, located in Haws Avenue United Methodist Church in Norristown.

Donations during this year’s food drive will help support kitchens like Haws Kitchen, which was started by Mary Alice Laws in 2000, according to the release. Ten teams of church and community members serve meals each Sunday — to 6,000 people a year, including veterans and children, according to Laws.

During the 2017 food drive, more than 4,800 pounds of food was collected, exceeding the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s goal by 300 pounds.

New this year was a partnership with Workhorse Brewing Co. — on a local beer series featuring a new brew each quarter and branded using the help of area artists. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of that beer was contributed to the food drive.

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