At Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley (SHFBMV), the mission is clear: to eliminate hunger in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Northeast Ohio. In 2023 alone, school pantries saw 36,849 visits by food-insecure students in the area. SHFBMV creates access to food and educational resources that serve as a vital lifeline for those struggling with food insecurity. It’s why Gibson Insurance Agency has pitched in for more than a decade, continuing to grow its support for SHFBMV each year.
To expand its impact, in 2022 Gibson launched Community Appreciation Day—a carnival-style event held each July featuring food trucks, entertainment, and giveaways—which serves as a thank-you to Gibson customers and the community while also raising food, funds, and awareness for SHFBMV. All 20+ Gibson employees volunteer to host, engage with guests, and contribute to the food drive. In 2024, Gibson smashed its goals by collecting 1,466 lbs. and $1,000, and to date, Gibson’s support over the years has provided 28,379 meals to those facing hunger in their community.
“After seeing what we were able to collect in just an evening for our first Community Appreciation Day, we realized the power of coming together as a community to raise food and funds through an annual event. Watching our agency, employees, and customers unite to help those in need was inspiring and exceeding our goal in 2024 was the cherry on top,” says Dawn Lingenfelter with Gibson Agency.
“It’s proof that when a community shares a goal, we can make a real impact. Hosting an event that lets Gibson give back keeps us motivated, and we hope that it inspires others to give back. There’s always a need somewhere and you can make a difference!”
Serving nearly 20,000 people weekly, with half of the population either children or seniors, SHFBMV provides critical food assistance to community members facing hunger. Last year, it spent over $1 million on food as store salvage dwindled and demand soared. A Make More Happen Award would enable SBFBMV to purchase more food to support school pantries, senior programs, food pantries, and meal sites through its 160 partners.
Vote for Gibson and SHFBMV to reach 500 votes and secure $10,000 to end hunger in the Mahoning Valley!
Best Agency!!
Great work!