The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore will hold a "hunger summit" at Old Dominion University on March 2. This inaugural event is designed to bring together community leaders, elected officials, business leaders, academia, caring individuals and corporations to discuss holistic strategies that can support individuals who are often uncertain about how they will put food on their tables.

As part of the event, the foodbank will hold its inaugural "Pillars of Promise" Awards Luncheon, recognizing community leaders, corporations and caring individuals that have helped propel the Foodbank toward realizing its mission to eliminate hunger in the community.

Admission to the Hunger Summit, which will be held in the Webb University Center, is free. Ticket prices for the Pillars of Promise Awards Luncheon are $45 per person/$25 per person for agency partners. Table sponsorships available for $500.

"We are excited to formally recognize several individuals and organizations that have helped us build a resilient, hunger-relief safety-net for food insecure adults and children," said Ruth Jones Nichols, CEO of the Foodbank. "Acknowledging their contributions with a Pillars of Promise award is a salute to the past, present and future of our collective impact throughout the community."

This year, the Foodbank embarked on the journey of implementing a new strategic plan that includes four strategic pillars—Lead, Feed, Strengthen, and Transform. The Pillars of Promise awards are modeled after the tenements of the evolving strategic direction of the Foodbank.

Pillars of Promise awards and nominees

The Lead Award: Recognizing organizations or individuals whose activities helped the Foodbank create awareness of its vision for a hunger-free community.

• FM99 and 106.9 The Fox
• The Hampton Roads Show
• Candy Hayes
• Hells Angels Beach Side
• Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association

The Feed Award: Recognizing organizations or individuals whose activities reduced the meal gap in our service area.

• Childtime Learning Center
• Farm Fresh
• Oasis Social Ministry
• Seatack Recreation Center
• Smithfield Foods

The Strengthen Award: Recognizing organizations or individuals who helped strengthen the Foodbank's ability to eliminate hunger in our community.

• Calvary Revival Church
• Capital One
• Sandra Etheridge
• Jeffrey Lewis
• Norfolk Southern Corporation

The Transform Award: Recognizing organizations or individuals whose activities helped the Foodbank deliver its services to food insecure individuals more efficiently and effectively

• Bank of America
• Buffalow Family and Friends Community Days
• Eastern Shore Chapel
• Old Dominion University School of Nursing
• The Mount Church

The "Pillars of Promise" Awards Luncheon will serve as the culmination of the Foodbank's 2018 Hunger Summit. The event will be held at ODU's Webb University Center on March 2nd from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The morning panel discussion and breakouts is free. Individual tickets for the luncheon can be purchased on our website after Feb. 2nd for $45 per person. Tables can be sponsored for $500 for a table of 8 and mention in the program.

For more information please contact Todd Emmett, Communications Manager for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore at 757-387-7002 or temmett@foodbankonline.org