21 WFMJ is honored to be the first recipient of the first-ever Second Harvest Food Bank, Champion Against Hunger Award.

Since its inception in 2007, Feed Our Valley has raised a total of $1,076,249 and collected 871,671 pounds of food to help fight hunger in the Mahoning Valley.

The Champion Against Hunger Award was awarded TO HONOR THOSE MILESTONES.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK PRESENTED WFMJ GENERAL MANAGER JACK GRDIC with the award Wednesday afternoon.

"We're honored to receive this award. The reality though is this award is reflective upon our community and generosity of our community for all these years of Feed Our Valley and to hit this kind of milestone of a million dollars raised and over six million meals really speaks volume the character and generosity of our community who time after time after time rise to the challenge to meet those that are in need," said Grdic

The historic $1 million mark was reached in 2020 despite the challenges posed during the coronavirus pandemic.

"The faces change, the names have changed but hunger is still with us. Feed Our Valley has drawn attention and brought awareness to the three-county area that we live in, unparalleled of anything we've ever seen," said Mike Iberis, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank.

In 2020, the campaign raised $145,073, and with the $10,000 donation from the Cafaro Foundation to the campaign, the total amount raised is $155,073.

Second Harvest Food Bank also received a total of 60,317 pounds of food during the Feed Our Valley Campaign.

Sparkle Markets alone raised a total of $1,700 and collected 32,394 pounds of food.

Sparkle Markets more than doubled the amount collected in 2019.

Owners of Sparkle Market stores also say their donation bins are still full, and Second Harvest Food Bank still has donation drives planned through the end of the year, meaning the total amount of food and money collected could be even higher.

21 WFMJ again thanks all who participated for helping Feed Our Valley.