11th Annual Collaborative Fundraiser Launches to Fight Local Hunger
Annual Barrel Full of Money Campaign to be held to raise funds for local food bank.
WALLA WALLA, WA – Walla Walla Valley wineries, along with other area businesses and non-profit organizations, announced the launch of Barrel Full of Money, their annual fundraising campaign to benefit the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Food Bank.
The Barrel Full of Money program raises funds that are used to purchase bulk food items and perishables for those in need through multiple fundraising efforts. This year’s campaign includes a kick-off weekend, donation barrels, raffle, winery donations, special dinners, and business promotions, culminating with an online auction and virtual event.
The Barrel Full of Money campaign has raised over $280,000 since inception in 2011, equating to 1,400,000 meals for local families. The BMAC Food Bank distributes over 870,000 pounds of food through pantries in Walla Walla County every year. In light of the lasting effects of the pandemic, local residents are more in need of food assistance than ever. Currently, the BMAC Food Bank is providing 6,000 meals daily for Walla Walla County.
“The community’s collaboration and generosity are how the Food Bank is able to return $6 in food assistance for every dollar donated,” explains Jeff Mathias, Food Bank Director for Blue Mountain Action Council. “The money raised through Barrel Full of Money significantly contributes to our ability to purchase bulk food items and perishables which help balance out the non-perishables that are donated from a variety of other sources each year.”
Barrel Full of Money is a collaborative fundraising effort of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and its members, and the Blue Mountain Action Council, with support from Alaska Airlines, Baker Boyer Bank, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer and the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.
The online auction will go live on Sunday, December 5 and close on Thursday, December 9 with a live wine auction and closing virtual event presided over by master of ceremonies Dave Mitchell. Silent auction items include goods from local businesses, local art, dining experiences and exclusive getaways.
The 2021 campaign features involvement from many local businesses, including wineries, restaurants, grocery stores and more, throughout November and December. A few opportunities to support the campaign include:
- The campaign officially kicks-off this upcoming weekend, October 29-31, at The Thief Fine Wine & Beer. 50% of proceeds from all of their wine flights will be donated to the campaign.
- Wineries are offering special wines benefitting the campaign and donating tasting fees. Participating wineries include Rôtie Cellars, Time & Direction and Gifford Hirlinger. Each year, Gifford Hirlinger donates all their tasting fees for the year to the Barrel Full of Money campaign.
- Local businesses are giving their patrons opportunities to support the fundraiser. Grocery Outlet is providing scan cards that allow customers to give to the campaign at check out, and A.R. Teal Produce has the option to add a donation to a produce order. Walla Walla Toyota will be donating $10 from every car sale in November.
- Donation barrels will be set up around town, including at Tranche, AK’s Mercado and The Thief Fine Wine & Beer, with more locations to be announced.
- Caprio Cellars will host a dinner on benefitting the fundraising campaign.
- TMACS will offer a “Meals for Meals” program featuring a special, ticketed watch party and takeout options for the online auction on December 9. In addition, Epicurean Take and Make packages will be available from the TMACS Epicurean Kitchen – with all proceeds benefitting the campaign.
Additional participating businesses will be added to the campaign over the next few weeks. Those looking to support the campaign can view all the participants and opportunities at www.wallawallawine.com/event/bfom-2021/ .
Finally, Alaska Airlines is continuing their support of this fundraiser with two roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere Alaska flies for the raffle grand prize. Airline tickets are valid for one year from date of issue, are unrestricted and do not have blackout dates. Only 500 raffle tickets are printed, they sell for $10 each and are available for purchase from Barrel Full of Money steering committee members or by calling the Blue Mountain Action Council (509) 529-4980. The raffle drawing will take place live during the December 9 live, online auction, and participants need not be present to win.
“There are a variety of ways to support the Barrel Full of Money fundraiser this year,” says Robert Hansen, Executive Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “Whether you want to grab a bite to eat, stock up on wine for the holidays, attend the online auction or simply contribute by donating, you can support our local food bank. We look forward to coming together as a wine community to support our neighbors in .”
Those wishing to support the campaign through cash donations can contribute online at bmacww.org. Checks can be mailed to Blue Mountain Action Council at 8 E. Cherry St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Checks should be made out to BMAC with “Barrel Full of Money” in the memo line.
Barrel Full of Money Events
October – December 9: Raffle tickets available for purchase by calling the Blue Mountain Action Council (509) 529-4980
October 29-31: Kick-Off Weekend at The Thief Fine Wine & Beer. 50% from all wine flight purchases are donated to the campaign.
December 5-9: Online silent auction
December 9, 6:00-7:00 p.m.: Live auction and closing event online, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Barrel Full of Money is made possible by:
Alaska Airlines, Baker Boyer Bank, Columbia REA, Dunham Cellars, Grocery Outlet, Hayden Homes, The Thief Fine Wine & Beer , and Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
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About the Blue Mountain Action Council
The Blue Mountain Action Council is a community action partnership agency providing a wide array of services to help people meet their basic essential needs. The BMAC food bank is the regional distribution center for the five local food pantries in Walla Walla County as well as the pantries in Columbia, Asotin and Garfield Counties. More information about the BMAC and its programs is available at www.bmacww.org or by calling 509-529-4980.
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About Walla Walla Valley Wine
Walla Walla Valley Wine is a nonprofit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. Walla Walla Valley Wine functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry.
Media Contact:
Shelby Pryor
Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Walla Walla Valley Wine
Committee Chair, Barrel Full of Money Fundraiser
shelby@wallawallawine.com | (865) 207-9225
