Community Foundation Illustrates Hunger Issues at Annual Event

PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties addressed issues of food insecurity in our community during the Celebration of Philanthropy Dinner Dance event, which was held on January 20, 2011 at Club Colette in Palm Beach, FL.  Each year at the dinner dance, the Community Foundation recognizes the significance of philanthropy in improving the lives of the people of Palm Beach and Martin counties.

"The greater Palm Beaches is a region of abundance," says Leslie Lilly, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, "yet, abundance is not always wholly shared. We increasingly are hearing stories from our nonprofit partners of the newly poor visiting a food pantry for the first time…and of empty shelves due to the rising demand for food."

As a part of the Foundation's "beyond grantmaking" activities in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Foundation launched the Alleviate Hunger Initiative. This new initiative was developed by the Community Foundation's Leadership Fund, to build partnerships between the agencies in our food system, with the ultimate goal of improving the access to and distribution of food in our communities.

Grants will be made to organizations and programs that help low-income and disadvantaged children and adults, as well as newly vulnerable individuals and families struggling to meet basic needs for food; and, that also provide overall improvement to the food access and distribution system in our community.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Pucillo and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van der Grift together served as event Chairs.    

The proceeds of the Celebration of Philanthropy 2011 Dinner Dance will benefit the Community Foundation's Leadership Fund, which helps to support the Foundation's leadership as it:

• identifies the critical challenges facing our community;
• commissions research and special reports to illuminate issues and opportunities;
• holds public forums and networking events to inform and engage public dialogue;
• convenes community leaders and volunteer task forces to identify and accomplish action agendas; and, most important of all,
• helps and supports the Community Foundation in its efforts to lead and facilitate the positive change our communities need.

Northern Trust served as Grand Benefactor for the event. Sponsors included: Mr. and Mrs. William M. Matthews, Mr. Jack C. Taylor, Winston Partners, Mrs. Max M. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Lacaillade, Sotheby's, Mr. Robert C. Pew II, Prime, Buchholz & Associates Inc, Mr. Roy J. Zuckerberg and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van der Grift.

2011 Celebration of Philanthropy leadership and Sponsors

Chairs:  Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Pucillo, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van der Grift.

2011 COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mrs. Helen Harting Abell

Mr. and Mrs. William W. Atterbury, III

Mr. and Mrs. E. William Aylward

Mr. and Mrs. Denis P. Coleman, Jr.

Mrs. Gloria Daigh

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Dillard

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Dodge

Mr. and Mrs. E. Llwyd Ecclestone

Mrs. Max M. Fisher

Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Grace

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Grow

Mr. James Held

Mr. Kenn Karakul

Mr. and Mrs. Peter I.C. Knowles, II

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Koch

Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Lacaillade

Mrs. David J. Mahoney

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Matthews

Mr. and Mrs. David G. Ober

Mr. Thomas C. Quick

The Honorable Lesly Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Stockham

Mr. Jack C. Taylor

2011 CELEBRATION SPONSORS

GRAND BENEFACTOR

Northern Trust

GRAND SPONSORS

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Matthews

Mr. Jack C. Taylor

Winston Partners

SPONSORS

Mrs. Max M. Fisher

Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Lacaillade

Sotheby's

Mr. Robert C. Pew, II

Prime, Buchholz & Associates Inc.

Mr. Roy J. Zuckerberg

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van der Grift

PATRONS

Mr. and Mrs. William W. Atterbury, III

Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Grace

Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Pucillo

Mr. and Mrs. Royall Victor, III

FRIENDS

Mr. and Mrs. E. Llwyd Ecclestone

FLAG Capital Management, LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Peter I.C. Knowles, II

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Koch

Mrs. David J. Mahoney

Mr. E. Burke Ross Jr.

The Honorable Lesly Smith

SUPPORTERS

Acadian Asset Management

Brittain Bardes

Cristina B. Condon

Eaton Vance Management

Mrs. R. Kendall Nottingham

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Reed

Mrs. Edward C. Trimble

About the Community Foundation

As one of Florida's largest community foundations, the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties advances quality of life, citizen engagement, and regional vitality through its promotion of philanthropy. We have been in existence for more than 35 years, with permanent endowment now totaling more than $100 million. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $4.5 million in grants and led initiatives to address critical issues of common concern among our region's communities, including hunger, homelessness, affordable housing, and the conservation and protection of water resources. We are the trusted steward of over 250 funds created by area families, philanthropists, corporations and private foundations for charitable investment in our region's communities.

Our goals are to:

• Provide a strong role of leadership in promoting philanthropy;
• Connect donors and others with opportunities to make a positive difference;
• Address community issues through grantmaking and support of effective nonprofits efforts;
• Identify, lead, and collaborate in our areas of priority in order to leverage our human, financial, and informational capital for achievement of positive change.

For more information, please visit yourcommunityfoundation.org or call 561.659.6800

SOURCE Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties