Emergency Food Network Holds 14th Annual Recognition Breakfast

On Wednesday, March 16 in Marshall Hall on the University of Puget Sound campus, Emergency Food Network recognized their important partners Pierce County’s effort to fight food insecurity.

EFN honored this year’s recipients of the Silver Spoon Award, The David P. Ottey Lifetime Achievement Award, and announced those companies and organization that met the criteria in 2010 to be a Corporate or Civic Partners.

Mike Hargreaves, owner of Stadium Thriftway, received the David P. Ottey award for his service to EFN. Mr. Hargreaves is a longtime member of the Board of Directors and Stadium Thriftway has been source of support for the organization. He stepped down from the Board this spring after six years of service. The award is named for EFN’s long-serving former Executive Director. Mr. Ottey presented the award to Mr. Hargreaves in person at the event.

EFN’s Silver Spoon Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have a substantial impact on ending food insecurity in our region. By helping with EFN with its mission “to provide a reliable food supply so that no person in Pierce County goes hungry,” recipients of this award model a commitment to giving their time and resources to meet a critical need. This years’ winners and their categories are:

Mother Earth Farm, EFN’s 8-acre organic farm in Orting:

• REI volunteers consistently on the farm, which provides fresh produce for local food banks, harvested and distributed on the same day.

Partner Feeding Program:

• Lakes FISH. After switching locations, Lakes Fish distributed 43% more food than the previous year.

Volunteer Service:

• Exchange Club of Tacoma members volunteer at EFN’s warehouse on a monthly basis, repackaging tens of thousands of pounds of food annually.

Foundation Partner:

• The Thompson Foundation assisted with the purchase of a new refrigerated trailer and a new forklift for EFN in 2010.

Substantial Collection Effort:

• Cindy Salazar and the Lakewood Police Department collected $31,340 in donations and over 23,000 pounds of food on Nov. 29 during the first annual Fallen Officer’s Food Drive, in memory of the Lakewood Four.

Food System Support:

• LeMay Pierce County, Refuse DM Disposal, Division of Waste Connections for supporting EFN’s Amazing Abundance Auction and for supplying recycling for EFN and all county food banks.

In addition to these award recipients, EFN also announced companies and organizations that qualified as Corporate or Civic Partners in 2010. Corporate/Civic Partners have a special tie to EFN. They engage in efforts to fight hunger and receive distinction for their work each year for their efforts. 2010 Corporate and Civic Partners include:

• Bank of America
• Financial Insights Inc.
• Franciscan Health System
• Gordon
• Thomas
• Honeywell
• Moss Adams
• MultiCare Health System
• Murray Pacific Corporation
• Stadium Thriftway
• Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors
• LeMay Inc. of Pierce County
• Waste Management Systems
• Pacific Lutheran University
• Roman Meal Company
• University of Puget Sound
• Tucci and Sons Inc.
• Boeing
• Rotary International District 5020

These partners were recognized on Wednesday for meeting three of the following six criteria in 2010:

• Contribute $1000 or more to EFN.
• Host a food or donation drive in the workplace. 
• Featuring EFN or placing a link to www.efoodnet.org on your company website/ 
• Having an employee serve on EFN’s board or on a committee. 
• Purchasing a table at the Amazing Abundance Auction. 
• Bringing groups to volunteer with our Repack Project or Mother Earth Farm during the year.

Each month in Pierce County an average of 147,000 children, seniors and adults seek help at local food banks and hot meal sites. In 2010 EFN distributed 14.1 million pounds of food worth $18.5 million at no cost through its warehouse operation. EFN is able to leverage their buying and donated food to distribute $12 worth of food for every $1 donated.

To learn more about EFN or to obtain a food drive information packet, visit www.efoodnet.org or call (253) 584-1040.