Local Food Bank Receives over $100,000 from Walla Walla Valley Wineries, Businesses
2022 Barrel Full of Money fundraiser most successful to date
WALLA WALLA, WA (Dec. 16, 2022) – The 12th Annual Barrel Full of Money fundraiser raised a record amount once again this holiday season, as over 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries, area businesses, private donors and nonprofit organizations teamed up to raise $101,564.39 for the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Food Bank.
Barrel Full of Money is a joint effort by BMAC, Walla Walla Valley Wine, and other local business sponsors to raise funds to support local food pantries. Alaska Airlines, Banner Bank, Cayuse Vineyards, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Earl Brown & Sons, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, TMACS, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Winery Compliance Services of Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance member wineries came together this year to donate time, money, and resources to the cause.
“Generous support from the wine community, local businesses and individuals has propelled the Barrel Full of Money campaign to nearly 20% growth over last year,” said BMAC Food Bank Director Erik Mora. “The money raised in this effort will provide over 500,000 meals for our neighbors in need.”
The BMAC Food Bank distributes over 1 million pounds of food through pantries in Walla Walla County every year. Since its inception in 2011, the Barrel Full of Money campaign has raised more than $470,000 in cash for the local food bank, which has been used to purchase bulk food items and perishables. Currently, the BMAC Food Bank is providing 6,000 meals daily to Walla Walla and Columbia counties.
“The Barrel Full of Money fundraiser highlights the collaborative spirit of the people in our industry. The local wine community steps up with generosity year after year to provide for our neighbors in need. We look forward to the continued support of the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank, and success of the Barrel Full of Money fundraiser,” said Liz Knapke, Executive Director of Walla Walla Valley Wine.
The month-long fundraising campaign culminated with a silent and live auction of both wine and non-wine items at Dunham Cellars on December 8. Funds were also raised through a raffle with a grand prize of two unrestricted roundtrip tickets by Alaska Airlines; special fundraising promotions and tasting fee donations at Gifford Hirlinger, L’Ecole N° 41, Pepper Bridge Winery, Caprio Cellars, REININGER Winery, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer and The Hop Thief; donation opportunities at Grocery Outlet; cash donations from Baker Boyer and Burwood; donation barrels hosted by The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, L’Ecole N° 41, Corliss, REININGER Winery, Maple Counter, AK’s Mercado, Burwood, Hop Thief, the Downtown Farmer’s Market, Marcus Whitman Hotel and Klicker’s Berries & Antiques; and cash donations from local residents and sponsor businesses.
Next year, Barrel Full of Money will celebrate its 13th annual campaign. The Auction & Wine Reception will be held the evening of Friday, December 1 at the new Corliss Motor Co. in downtown Walla Walla.
Barrel Full of Money is made possible by these sponsors:
Alaska Airlines, Banner Bank, Cayuse Vineyards, Caprio Cellars, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Earl Brown & Sons, Gifford Hirlinger, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, Pepper Bridge Winery, REININGER Winery, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, TMACS, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, and Winery Compliance Services of Walla Walla
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About the Blue Mountain Action Council
The Blue Mountain Action Council is a community action partnership agency providing a wide array of services to help people meet their basic essential needs. The BMAC food bank is the regional distribution center for the five local food pantries in Walla Walla County as well as the pantries in Columbia, Asotin and Garfield Counties. More information about the BMAC and its programs is available at www.bmacww.org or by calling 509-529-4980.
About Walla Walla Valley Wine
Walla Walla Valley Wine is a nonprofit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is the marketing of the Walla Walla Valley’s American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Wine Alliance functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Shelby Gillin
Communications & Marketing Manager, Walla Walla Valley Wine
[email protected] | (865) 207-9225 cell
Tracy Parmer
Development Manager, Walla Walla Valley Wine; Barrel Full of Money Committee Co-Chair
[email protected] | (727) 365-5266 cell
