The Greenbrier Valley Board of Realtors (GVBOR) spoke to the Lewisburg Rotarians on October 7 to promote their Feed the Need program. The organization will be participating in the Taste of Our Town (TOOT) festivities on October 12 from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM.
President Elect of GVBOR, Robert Bittinger, Jr, explained there will be a choice of brown beans or vegetable soup and fresh cornbread at the Feed the Need vendor booth in front of the Remax Realty office on Washington Street during TOOT. The booth is designated as number 54 on the complimentary TOOT map provided throughout town by Carnegie Hall.
Pittinger spoke of how Feed the Need began in 2011 to fulfill urgent shortages of food for our citizens in need. The first year saw a combination of 1,773 items of non-perishable food items and $3,000 in cash for an estimated $5,000 worth of donations raised for area food banks. The Lewisburg/Fairlea, Renick, Ronceverte, Williamsburg and Peterstown food banks divided the haul that first year.
The next year an increase in the number of committee members participating in the fundraising effort allowed for an increase to 3,200 food items and $5,600 in cash donations. Food banks in White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle, Alderson and Union were added to the list of food banks receiving the assistance.
This third year the goal is to raise $25,000 worth of food and money to provide effective help to all of these area food banks.
Martha Hilton added, “The United Way is partnering with us for the first time this year and is giving $12,000 to Feed the Need.
Mardi McMillan explained how there are sponsors within its membership in the way of some independent product marketers donating a portion of their sales to Feed the Need.
Mardi McMillan of Stella and Dot Jewelry, Shannon Warren with Tastefully Simple, Tonya Mills of Melaluca, Martha Hilton with Tupperware and Terry Baker with Baked Goods are participating with the additional support by donating portions of their sales in the month of October.
In September, the Greenbrier Sporting Club and Mountian Messenger newspaper each donated a pair of tickets to the Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic, which were auctioned and the proceeds going to Feed the Need.
If you would like to support Feed the Need, or have questions about the program or how to reach the sponsors call 304-646-6411, or drop off non-perishable food items at 111 E Washington Street in Lewisburg.