Local Food Bank Receives over $55,000 from Walla Walla Valley Wineries, Businesses
2019 Barrel Full of Money fundraiser most successful to date
WALLA WALLA, WA (Dec. 20, 2019) – The 9th Annual Barrel Full of Money fundraiser broke its own record again this holiday season, as more than 70 Walla Walla Valley wineries, area businesses and non-profit 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 local sponsor organizations and businesses to raise funds in support of local food pantries. Alaska Airlines, Baker Boyer Bank, Big House Brewpub, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Elkhorn Media Group, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, Maple Counter Café, the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, Rogue Lobster, Seguin Moreau, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, TMACS, Valdemar Estates, 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. During a check presentation at the Food Bank on Thursday, December 19, the steering committee presented a check to BMAC for $55,716.82.
“Generous support from the wine community, local businesses, and individuals has propelled the Barrel Full of Money campaign to a 40% growth over last year,”
said BMAC Food Bank Director Jeff Mathias. “The money raised in this effort will provide over 250,000 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 $220,000 in cash for the local food bank, all of which has been used to purchase bulk food items and perishables.
Components of the annual two-month long fundraising campaign included a kick-off tasting at The Thief Fine Wine & Beer; a raffle with grand prizes of two unrestricted roundtrip tickets by Alaska Airlines and a one-night stay and dining at the Marcus Whitman Hotel; donation canisters at local wineries and businesses; full-sized wine barrels – used as donation vessels – at local businesses; tasting fee donations from wineries; the ability to “round up” or add a donation to your purchase at Grocery Outlet; an auction and wine reception at Dunham Cellars; and cash donations from local businesses and residents.
“This effort truly exemplifies the collaborative heart of the people throughout our community. We look forward to the continued collaboration and success of Barrel Full of Money and BMAC for years to come,” said Shelby Pryor, Committee Chair for Barrel Full of Money and Marketing Assistant for the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.
Next year, Barrel Full of Money will celebrate its 10th annual campaign. The fundraising effort will kick-off once again in October 2020 and conclude with the Auction & Wine Reception on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Dunham Cellars.
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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
Marketing Assistant, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance; Barrel Full of Money Committee Chair
shelby@wallawallawine.com | (509) 526-3117 office
