Photo Credit: Montgomery County Food BankNews
Montgomery County Food Bank announces 2026 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala Honorees
Montgomery County Food Bank is proud to announce the honorees for its 2026 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala, which will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. The Gala is Montgomery County Food Bank’s signature fundraising event, bringing together community leaders committed to ensuring neighbors across Montgomery County have access to nutritious food. Funds raised through the evening directly support the Food Bank’s work across its network of partner agencies – turning generosity into impact by providing up to four meals for every dollar donated.
This year’s Gala theme, Through the Looking Glass, invites guests to explore what’s possible when our community comes together in generosity and compassion. The evening will also recognize outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership and service have helped strengthen the fight against hunger. The honorees for the 2026 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala include:
• ExxonMobil, 2026 Community Partner of the Year – This award honors an organization for its commitment to supporting Montgomery County Food Bank and creating a lasting impact for future generations facing hunger. ExxonMobil has been an extraordinary community partner in every sense—investing their time, talent, and resources to strengthen the mission of Montgomery County Food Bank. As a Capital Campaign Benefactor, ExxonMobil’s generous support made a lasting difference — funding an expanded parking lot that created space for more volunteers and amplified community impact. Beyond financial support, ExxonMobil employees demonstrated extraordinary commitment in 2025, volunteering 1,028 times at Montgomery County Food Bank and contributing more than 3,100 hours of hands-on service to sort, package, and distribute food for neighbors across Montgomery County. From consistent volunteer teams to meaningful investments, ExxonMobil shows up again and again for neighbors facing hunger.
• St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2026 Partner Agency of the Year – The Food Bank has a network of 90+ partner agencies throughout Montgomery County. This award honors a partner agency for its unwavering and great work in the fight against hunger. A partner agency since 2002, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is one of Montgomery County Food Bank’s most dedicated and impactful partners. Serving approximately 8,000 neighbors each month—the highest volume among the Food Bank’s 90+ partner agencies—St. Anthony is the only agency conducting three large-scale food distributions every week, serving an average of more than 100 neighbors at each one. Beyond direct service, St. Anthony plays a vital leadership role by training fellow partner agencies in food distribution best practices and regularly stepping up first when community needs increase. Their unwavering commitment and leadership make them a true beacon of hope for neighbors facing hunger.
• Fortifi Food Processing Solutions, 2026 Volunteer of the Year – This award honors an individual or group of volunteers for their outstanding volunteer service with Montgomery County Food Bank. Fortifi Food Processing Solutions stepped into the mission of Montgomery County Food Bank with incredible dedication—bringing their global team together to volunteer and apply their operational expertise to the Food Bank’s warehouse operations. As the Food Bank moved into a new Produce Rescue Center, Fortifi shared their food processing and lean operations experience, dedicating time and talent to help reengineer the processes for this new space. The result: more than double the output per volunteer and a stronger, more efficient operation—allowing significantly more nutritious food to reach the tables of neighbors across Montgomery County.
• Dr. Ann Snyder, 2026 Legacy Award – The Legacy Award acknowledges the significant contributions of an individual to the Food Bank and community, honoring their lasting impact. Dr. Ann Snyder’s lifelong commitment to service has left a profound and enduring imprint on Montgomery County. Through her thoughtful leadership and steady guidance as a former Board member and current Advisory Council member, she has helped shape Montgomery County Food Bank during important seasons of growth and transition. Her influence is reflected in the strength, integrity, and community-centered focus of the organization today. The Food Bank is deeply grateful and proud to honor Dr. Snyder at the 2026 Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala and recognize a leader whose impact will continue to guide and inspire for years to come.
“The leadership and commitment of these honorees have truly elevated the work of Montgomery County Food Bank to a new level,” said Kristine Marlow, President and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “As our organization has grown, their partnership has guided us through growth and change, strengthened our operations, and enabled us to respond effectively to rising demand. Thanks to their impact, we are better positioned to continue meeting the needs of our neighbors now and in the years to come ahead. We are truly stronger because of these honorees.”
To learn more about the Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala and to purchase tickets or tables, please visit mcfoodbank.org/gala. If you are interested in Gala sponsorship opportunities, please contact Courtney Budra, Sr. Manager of Development: cbudra@mcfoodbank.org.
Source: Montgomery County Food Bank
