MINNIE’S FOOD PANTRY RAISES $1.3 MILLION DURING 10 YR ANNIVERSARY GALA FEAT. OPRAH WINFREY AS KEYNOT
The Minnie’s Food Pantry Feed Just One Gala was a very noteworthy event, as it celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Renowned global media leader and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey was keynote speaker. The celebration started out with a star-studded red-carpet, which was graced by Dallas Elite, including District Attorney, Faith Johnson; literary agent, Jan Miller; NFL legend, Emmitt Smith and his wife, Pat; former major league baseball player, Torii Hunter and his wife, Katrina and actress and church leader, Priscilla Shirer, as well as Hollywood actress, Brely Evans; boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather; Adrienne Bailon, television host of The Real, gospel recording artist, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, to name a few. Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight, hosted the event. GRAMMY® award winning gospel recording artist, Israel Houghton opened the show with his song, “The Power of One” and GRAMMY® award winning gospel recording artists, Donnie McClurkin, sang “Stand” in tribute to Cheryl Jackson’s late mother, Minnie Hawthorne-Ewing, the namesake for Minnie’s Food Pantry. Pastor John Gray gave the invocation. Floyd Mayweather greeted the crowd with a welcome, pledging to support Minnie’s Food Pantry now and in the years to come.
The highlight of the night was Oprah Winfrey, as she inspired the audience by describing her life growing up in Mississippi, her grandmother’s influence on her life and how she lives her life with intention. “True freedom is waking up in the morning and deciding what you want to do with your life. That is what I wish for each of you,” Winfrey shared. Afterwards, Oprah Winfrey announced a donation of $250,000, then charged the room to match her gift. Several attendees rose to the occasion and exceeded even Winfrey’s expectations, raising more than $1.3 million dollars in an impromptu fundraising fashion of coming to the stage and sharing their name and donation pledge.
The night was filled with surprises for the guests from the start, including a goody bag where each attendee received a sub from Jersey Mike’s, a commemorative candle from Brighton the Occasion and K. Rashae, a special 10-year anniversary bottle of Dr. Pepper and a smart watch from Fossil, valued at more than $275. Albertson’s/Tom Thumb, Fossil, Toyota, Rembert Custom Builders, Jersey Mike’s, along with several other companies, joined forces with Minnie’s Food Pantry to support the 10th Annual Feed Just One Gala. Albertson’s/Tom Thumb was the title sponsor and Fossil Group was the premier sponsor for the celebration gala. Toyota was the presenting sponsor of the Minnie Ewing Legacy Award.
Other sponsors for the 10th Annual Feed Just One Gala included Jersey Mike’s Subs, HEB Central Market, IBB Design, K’ Rashae, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Dr Venus Opal Reese, Sandy Nachman, GXA Network Solutions, Vicki and Bill Adkins, O’Neil Wysocki P.C., Flexpress Digital, At Home, Rent-A-Center, Wells Fargo, McAfee, Legacy Texas, US Trust, Merrill Lynch, Cynthia Bertrand, Willowbend, Neiman Marcus, Radio One and Plano Profile. Founded by Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson, Minnie’s Food Pantry has literally been rolling out the red carpet for more than 10 years as they provide food for families living in low income, food insecure households.
Over the years, many corporate sponsors and celebrities have joined Minnie’s Food Pantry in the fight to reduce hunger, including former MLB pitcher Latroy and Anita Hawkins, Dallas Mavericks owner and business mogul Mark Cuban, Hollywood actresses Meagan Good and Regina King, movie producers DeVon Franklin and Will Packer, pop superstar Rihanna, actor Jim Parsons, recording artists Kenny Lattimore, Wess Morgan and BeBe Winans and now global media leader Oprah Winfrey.
Photo Credit/Content: Courtesy of KTA Media Group
