Local Food Bank Receives over $64,000 from Walla Walla Valley Wineries, Businesses
2020 Barrel Full of Money fundraiser most successful to date
WALLA WALLA, WA (Dec. 15, 2020) – The 10th Annual Barrel Full of Money fundraiser raised a record amount once again this holiday season, despite challenges faced in light of the pandemic, as nearly 50 Walla Walla Valley wineries, area businesses and nonprofit organizations teamed up to raise a significant amount of money for the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Food Bank.
Barrel Full of Money is a joint effort by BMAC, the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, and other local business sponsors to raise funds in support of local food pantries. Alaska Airlines, Baker Boyer Bank, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, Seguin Moreau, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, TMACS, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance member wineries came together this year to donate time, money and resources to the cause. The campaign resulted in a record-breaking $64,737.47 raised for the BMAC Food Bank.
“Generous support from the wine community, local businesses and individuals has propelled the Barrel Full of Money campaign to a 16% growth over last year,” said BMAC Food Bank Director Jeff Mathias. “The money raised in this effort will provide over 320,000 meals for our neighbors in need.”
The BMAC Food Bank distributes over 928,000 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 $280,000 in cash for the local food bank, all of which has been used to purchase bulk food items and perishables. This year, support is needed more than ever, as 5% of Walla Walla County and 10% of Columbia County are relying on the food bank for meals.
The Barrel Full of Money campaign shifted its fundraising methods this year due to the pandemic. Components of this year’s annual two-month long fundraising campaign included a raffle with a grand prize of two unrestricted roundtrip tickets by Alaska Airlines; wine sales with a percentage of proceeds going to the campaign at Amavi Cellars, Rôtie Cellars, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer and Woodward Canyon; tasting fee and cash donations from Gifford Hirlinger, Otis Kenyon Wine, L’Ecole N° 41 and Watermill Winery; matching donations and proceeds donated from TMACs and Caprio Cellars; the ability to “round up” or add a donation to your purchase at Grocery Outlet and AR Teal’s Produce; an online auction of both wine and non-wine items donated by local businesses; a pledge from Hayden Homes to match up to $10,000 in donations; and cash donations from local residents and sponsor businesses.
“Each year, the Barrel Full of Money fundraiser highlights the generosity and collaborative heart of the people in our community. Even in a year of uncertainty, this community stepped up 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 Shelby Pryor, Committee Chair for Barrel Full of Money and Communications & Marketing Coordinator for the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.
Next year, Barrel Full of Money will celebrate its 11th annual campaign.
Barrel Full of Money is made possible by:
Alaska Airlines, Baker Boyer Bank, Banner Bank, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, Seguin Moreau, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, TMACS, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Amavi Cellars, AR Teal’s Produce, Caprio Cellars, Earl Brown & Sons, Gifford Hirlinger, L’Ecole N 41, Otis Kenyon Wine, Rôtie Cellars, Watermill Winery and Woodward Canyon
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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 the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance 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 CONTACT:
Shelby Pryor
Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance; Barrel Full of Money Committee Chair
[email protected] | (865) 207-9225 cell
