Local Businesses, Organizations, Individuals Honored for Helping Neighbors In Need

On Wednesday, April 13, Emergency Food Network (EFN) hosted their annual Recognition Breakfast at Historic 1625 to recognize important partners in Pierce County’s effort to fight food insecurity.

The David P. Ottey Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Toby Murray of Murray Pacific Corporation by past EFN Executive Director, David Ottey. Toby Murray was a past EFN Board Member from 2001-2006 and lead as the Board of Directors Chair for the last four years of his membership on the board. He continues to be actively involved in relieving hunger in the community by supporting EFN as well as participating in the annual Pierce County Hunger Walk each year, raising more than $212,000 since the start of his participation.

EFN also honored this year’s recipients of the 2016 Silver Spoon Awards, recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations who have made a substantial impact on ending food insecurity in our region. By helping EFN with its mission “to provide Pierce County with a consistent, diverse and nutritious food supply so that no person goes hungry,” recipients of this award model a commitment to giving their time and resources to meet a critical need. This year’s winners are: Sydney Boyle, Scot and Dori Savary, DaVita, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, LLP, Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation, Peninsula Community Foundation Food Backpacks 4 Kids, United Natural Foods, Inc., and Whole Foods Market Chambers Bay.

Awards were also given to companies and organizations that qualified as Corporate or Civic Partners in 2015. Corporate and 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. Corporate and Civic Partners recognized at the breakfast include: Alaska Airlines, Associated Ministries, Bank of America, Boeing Company, Brown & Brown Insurance, Chuckals, Inc., Columbia Bank, DaVita, Financial Insights, Fircrest United Methodist Church, CHI Franciscan Health System, Golden State Foods, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, LLP, IBEW Local 483, Interstate Distributor Co., KeyBank, LaborWorks, Inc., LeMay Pierce County Refuse, MultiCare Health System ,Murray Pacific Corporation, Opus Bank, Panattoni Development, Rotary Clubs of Pierce County, Snuffin’s Catering, Tacoma Public Utilities, Teamsters Local Union No. 117, TOTE Maritime Alaska, Transportation Club of Tacoma, UFCW Local 21, United Way of Pierce County, University of Puget Sound, Weyerhaeuser Company, Whole Foods Market Chambers Bay, Zack Rosenbloom & Associates, P.C.

During the event, EFN also announced their $2 million Capacity Building Campaign. EFN has been consistently successful in serving the community by providing nourishing food with a 76% increase in the pounds of food distributed since 2008. The need continues to grow and is projected to continue at a 10% increase each year. With EFN’s current warehouse and footprint, they can no longer accommodate this rate of growth. The Capacity Building Campaign will result in more space for food, the ability to pick up and deliver more food, a greater connection with the community, neighbors and partners in meeting their mission, and funds for the future to ensure sustained growth. EFN has already raised $1.6 million toward the campaign.

To learn more about EFN, the Capacity Building Campaign, or other ways to get involved visit www.efoodnet.org or call (253) 584-1040.

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