The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s (VFTCB) 10th Annual Fall Freedom from Hunger Drive kicked off with a kitchen takeover at Siloam Baptist Church in Norristown, the same location where the organization held its first-ever kitchen takeover to promote the drive.

VFTCB staff, Montgomery County Community College Hospitality Institute Chefs, and Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello served more than 60 people a meal, including food donated by HUNGRY Catering, and ice cream donated from Merrymead Farm in Lansdale.

So far, several Montgomery County businesses are donating either directly to the drive, or through sales proceeds such as Highmark Blue Shield donating $5,000 — the monetary equivalent of 60,000 pounds of food.

“We are committed to improving health outcomes in our communities by providing access to nutritious food and are proud to support the Freedom from Hunger Drive in addressing this critical need,” said Ken Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Highmark Blue Shield. “Highmark is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside organizations like the VFTCB and the other community and business partners involved to make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.”

Workhorse Brewing Company is also contributing $1 for every Oktoberfest draft sold on Fridays from September through October.

“At Workhorse Brewing Company, we are passionate about brewing great beer and making a positive impact in our community,” said Mariana Nelson, Director of Sales and Marketing for Workhorse. “Participating in the Freedom from Hunger campaign allows us to leverage our platform to address food insecurity head-on. We believe that access to nutritious food is a basic human right, and through our involvement in this campaign, we are dedicated to supporting local initiatives that provide meals and resources to those in need.”

Other VFTCB member partners who are participating include the following:

• Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery in Lansdale: $1 donated for every frozen wine slushie sold from Sept. 1-Oct. 31. Available flavors are changed weekly.
• Bartaco in King of Prussia: For every chicken karaage taco sold, bartaco will donate a portion of sales to the Freedom from Hunger Drive
• Blossom Café in Skippack: donating $1 for each Brown Sugar Cardamom Shaken Espresso purchased during September
• Sweet Ashley’s in Royersford: $10 donated from every Snack Box special ($30) – a carefully curated selection of Sweet Ashley’s chocolates and other sweet treats, perfect for gifts.
• Aneu Kitchen in Paoli: $1 from every smoothie purchase at the Paoli location, Monday through Friday, Sept. 1-Oct. 31.
• A few other organizations have donated directly, or through the VFTCB’s upcoming Annual Lunch: King of Prussia Mall ($500/the monetary equivalent of 6,000 pounds of food), Fogo de Chao ($250/3,000 pounds), The Reliable Companies ($250/3,000 pounds), Conlin’s Print ($200/2,400 pounds), and Madden Media ($500/6,000 pounds).

“We love to see local businesses step up to serve and give back to their community,” said Rachel Riley, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the VFTCB, and a Board Member for the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN). “That’s part of what the Freedom from Hunger drive is all about, making sure we’re taking care of our neighbors. We encourage other businesses to do the same.”

The Spring Freedom from Hunger Drive raised the monetary equivalent of 38,040 pounds of food. Both King of Prussia Mall and Innovative Catering Concepts donated the monetary equivalent of 6,000 pounds of food for the spring drive.

“We can’t thank the tourism board and those who donate enough,” said Shannon Isaacs, Executive Director for MAHN, which is also celebrating 10 years. “This support helps our pantries so much right now as they struggle to keep enough food to feed more people. It’s proof that we can fight hunger together when we stand up to care for our neighbors in our community.”

The VFTCB partners with MAHN — a coalition of hunger relief organizations working together to keep families stable with food assistance — to help provide resources to over 70 food pantries, banks, and free meal providers that feed those who are food insecure in Montco. In Montco, food pantries surveyed by MAHN between the start and end of 2023 saw a 60.7 percent increase in the number of visits to each pantry.

The Freedom from Hunger Food Drive benefits all people accessing food pantry services and was created as a farewell “gift” to Pope Francis in 2015 when the Pontiff stayed in Montgomery County at the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. To date, the VFTCB has collected more than 300,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry in Montco. To donate, visit Valley Forge.

Learn more at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions, and services.