Northwest Assistance Ministries’ 11th annual Art for the Hungry event at Willowbrook Mall has brought in more than 13,500 food items and $6,421 in cash donations from area organizations and public contributions.
The Art for the Hungry sculpture competition kicks off NAM’s Survival Over the Summer (SOS) food drive effort and several groups still have food drives in progress. SOS continues through the end of April. Groups participating in Art f or Hungry built sculptures each using a minimum of 1,000 non-perishable food items. This year’s theme was Architectural Wonders.
“The builders did a good job of capturing the spirit of the event and community support has again helped make Art for the Hungry a success,” said Carole Little, NAM President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through Art for the Hungry and the Survival Over the Summer food drive, NAM’s goal is to feed 5,000 area children during the summer when school meal programs are not available. The food and monetary donations from this event help support this program and our food pantry.”
Event sponsors were Willowbrook Mall, Randall’s Food Stores – Jersey Village and National Charity League – Champions Chapter.
The sculptures were on display at Willowbrook Mall for two weeks. During that time, mall visitors could vote via monetary contributions for People’s Choice winners in three categories.
Judges Julie Anderson-Smith, Kameron Griffin, June McFadden, Tasha Sorenson, Todd Sorenson, Maureen Spector and Michael Zigrang chose winners in three categories for the Judges’ Golden Can Awards.
The categories, the winners and their sculptures were:
School Groups
People’s Choice and Judges’ Golden Can: Hosanna Lutheran High School Youth – Taj Mahal.
Community Organizations/Businesses
People’s Choice and Judges’ Golden Can: Cypress Creek Chapter, National Charity – The Great Pyramid.
Congregations
People’s Choice and Judge’s Golden Can: Plymouth United Church – Space Needle.
Other groups constructing Art for the Hungry displays were Klein High School Latin and Art Club; Northside Christian Church Crew; Cypress Belles Chapter, National Charity League; Yellow Rose Chapter, National Charity League, and the Rotary Club of Willowbrook.
“The food used for the sculptures will go to NAM’s Food Pantry,” Little said. “The donations will have added value because the Feinstein Foundation is again offering a $1 million proportional challenge to help end hunger across the United States. Each food item will count as one dollar toward the challenge. That means NAM will not only receive the donations, but because of our donors’ generosity, NAM will receive more money from the Feinstein Foundation.”
Food drive participants included:
NAM staff and volunteers, Administaff, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Klein Texas Stake, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church EYC, and Starbucks Coffee Company.
Individuals can also participate in a “virtual food drive” on NAM’s website, www.namonline.org, under Special Projects.
“Since the SOS food drive continues until April 30, area congregations, organizations and businesses still have time to conduct a food drive to help area children in need,” Little said. “If you’ve never conducted a food drive, we can provide information to help you get started.”
For information on Art for the Hungry, SOS or conducting a food drive, call Tanecia Snid at 281-885-4608. For information on NAM programs and services, call 281-885-4555 or visit the NAM web site at www.namonline.org.
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