(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

MARIETTA – The Marietta Community Foundation’s annual Nonprofit Challenge collected tens of thousands of donated food and household items this fall to support 14 food pantries across Washington County.

The event, held Oct. 13-Nov. 14, marked the 10th year of the challenge. Twenty-eight nonprofits participated in the “Stock the Shelves” theme, which focused on addressing food insecurity. The Hathaway family supported the effort with $26,000 in available grant funding.

Donations of food, formula, personal care items and laundry supplies were dropped off at the Foundation office, then moved to ARC Resin’s warehouse for sorting. Volunteers and partner organizations — including the O’Neill Center, WASCO, Blessing Birds and the Marietta College baseball team — helped organize the items for distribution.

Each of the 14 food pantries will receive two deliveries of sorted supplies in the coming weeks, according to the Foundation.

“This year’s Nonprofit Challenge exceeded every expectation we had,” Heather Allender, president and CEO of the Marietta Community Foundation, said in a statement. “Our community didn’t just participate — they embraced the mission with heart, creativity and generosity.”

A Nonprofit Open House was held Nov. 19 to recognize top performers. Blessing Birds earned first place and received a $9,000 grant. Harmar Rowing Club placed second and received $7,000. Kiwanis earned $4,500 for third place, followed by Belpre Church of the Nazarene with $3,000 and the O’Neill Center with $2,500.

Blessing Birds also won both $1,000 “Shelf Surge” mini-challenges, which focused on collecting formula and laundry supplies.

“We are honored and overwhelmed by the support we received,” Sarah Miller, founder of Blessing Birds, said in a statement. “Our team worked every single day with one goal in mind: to uplift families who need us.”

The Foundation will schedule pickup times with the food pantries as distribution begins.

The Marietta Community Foundation manages nearly 400 funds and reports more than $34 million in grants and scholarships awarded since its founding. More information is available at mcfohio.org.