Two million meals will be provided for neighbors in need thanks to the generosity of community members who attended the Abundance Dinner and Auction.

Emergency Food Network’s annual charity event hosted more than 400 people at the Clover Park Technical College McGavick Center on October 22. Attendees arrived at the event with non-perishable food donations and by the end of the evening had raised more than $378,000 to provide food for hungry families and individuals throughout the community. For every dollar donated, EFN can distribute $12 worth of food. In a span of 10 minutes during the live auction, people in the room raised their bid paddles to donate more than $175,000.

“The concern for our neighbors in need shown that night was absolutely amazing.” said Helen McGovern-Pilant, Executive Director of Emergency Food Network. “Every year when I see bid cards flying up, I get chills while adding in my head how many hungry people we will get to feed as a result. Everyone at Abundance so generously ensured that we are able to provide healthy, nutritious food for our neighbors in need in Pierce County.”

The evening began with a silent auction, and moved on to dinner, a live auction, and presentations about hunger in Pierce County. Kevin Glackin-Coley, Director of St. Leo Food Connection spoke about the partnerships between Emergency Food Network and the 70 food programs they serve. Emergency Food Network provides roughly 75% of the food the food banks, meal sites, and shelters distribute to the community.

Guests enjoyed a video demonstrating the true scope of Pierce County’s need, which has grown to 1.4 million visits to food programs in 2015, a breakdown of 116,000 visits each month. EFN meets this need by distributing 16 million pounds of food annually. The auction total accounts for 15% of the operating budget.

With the support from guests during the silent auction, live auction, raffle, as well as support from dozens of sponsors, including the event’s Presenting Sponsors, Waste Connection and the Franciscan Foundation, Emergency Food Network’s Abundance Dinner and Auction broke its record raising $63,000 more than last year’s event.

For more information about Emergency Food Network and its mission “to provide Pierce County with a consistent, diverse and nutritious food supply so that no person goes hungry,” visit www.efoodnet.org.