The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s 10th annual Jewels of Giving Gala was a glowing success with more than $215,000 raised to support the efforts of the Food Bank. The Gala was Nov. 16 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers.

Unilever was the presenting sponsor for this year’s event. Unilever’s Mark Huffman and Walmart’s Megan Crozier served as honorary chairs of the Gala.

“The 10th Annual Jewels of Giving Gala was a huge success,” said Kent Eikenberry, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “Not only did we meet our financial goal but we were able to share our story with over 700 attendees.

“A highlight of my evening was presenting our Hunger Award Hero Award to June Self, our founding president,” he said. “I am especially grateful for the foundation she established for us to build on over the past 30 years.”

With the generous participation in the Special Appeal to support the Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry program -- The KraftHeinz $35,000 match challenge -- was surpassed. BottleCrew stepped up to the challenge with an additional $10,000 -- resulting in more than $78,000 to fund the 2019 Mobile Pantry program.

The mobile food pantry program travels to 10 sites in the four counties – Benton, Carroll, Madison and Benton – that are served by the Food Bank, providing protein, fruits and vegetables for those who are food insecure.

Every dollar raised at the gala provides 10 meals to our neighbors with food insecurities, said Linda Phillips, development manager at the Food Bank.

There are more than 63,000 people with food insecurities in the four counties served by the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and its more than 160 partner agencies.