A Toast to Ending Hunger

About Feeding Hope

Each May, the food bank celebrates its volunteers and supporters at Feeding Hope, the organization’s signature fundraising event. In 2024, Feeding Hope raised more than $110,000 to help meet the unprecedented increase in requests for food assistance throughout the county. Over 200 food bank supporters attended the event held at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville and came together to raise funds to help our neighbors in need fill their tables with nutritious food.

THANK YOU to everyone who made 2024’s Feeding Hope such an incredible evening! The event, presented by the Dietrich Family Foundation, benefited the food bank’s work to provide fresh, nutritious food to neighbors in need across Anne Arundel County.

More than 200 food bank supporters gathered at Davidsonville’s Homestead Gardens to raise funds to help our neighbors in need fill their tables with fresh, nutritious food. Guests enjoyed small bites and tastes from a variety of local restaurants and food shops, sampled wines, brews, and cocktails, and danced along to live music from Red Betty & The Ruckus.

Feeding Hope is also an opportunity for AACFB to recognize its Hunger Heroes. Honored this year are Larry Clark (Lifetime Impact), Anne Arundel County Public Schools (Commitment to Service), and Millersville’s Fence & Deck Connection (Community Partner).

The evening included a brief fundraising event with a special match opportunity, made possible by three wonderful partners — a $5,000 donation from an anonymous donor, a $5,000 donation by Bruce and Jessica Morgenstern, long-term supporters of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, and another $5,000 from Carol Sisco and the Sisco Fund. Every dollar raised at Feeding Hope was matched one-to-one up to $15,000.

2024 Feeding Hope photos by Eye Opening Photography.

Each year, the food bank takes a moment during Feeding Hope to recognize our Hunger Heroes. Honored this year were Anne Arundel County Public Schools (Commitment to Service), Larry Clark (Lifetime Achievement), and Millersville’s Fence & Deck Connection (Community Partner).

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AWARD

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Each fall for the past 36 years, our county public schools organize Harvest for the Hungry, a drive to collect food and funds for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Since 1996, our schools have donated more than six million pounds of food. In 2023, Harvest for the Hungry raised $65,555 and collected just over 105,000 pounds of shelf-stable food — roughly seven percent of the total food donations we receive each year. This represents a significant amount of community-based giving, and we honor AACPS for its service and dedication to alleviating food insecurity in our county.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lawrence Clark

It is the food bank’s pleasure to honor and recognize Larry Clark for his passionate advocacy for the Anne Arundel community. The food bank is just one of many organizations that have benefited from his generosity and commitment to improving the lives of Anne Arundel County residents. With thoughtful personal donations and grants through the Deerbrook Charitable Foundation and the Deerbrook Fund, Clark has made a tremendous impact on the food bank, with a special emphasis on capacity building and a strong vision for the food bank’s future.

COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD

Fence & Deck Connection

Over the past five years, Fence & Deck Connection of Millersville has provided more than $42,000 in unrestricted donations. The company’s value of service to both customers and the Anne Arundel community is infused throughout its corporate culture, and we appreciate and celebrate their commitment to the food bank and our mission to alleviate food insecurity. The food bank honored company founders Jim Rubush and Ben Wolod, business partner Jeffrey Wall, and the entire Fence & Deck Connection team for standing as a strong partner with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and the community we serve.