Food Security Summit
communities. solutions. security.
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Food Security Summit
This event took place on September 19th, 2025.
Bringing Communities Together. Driving Solutions. Creating a Food-Secure Future.
Every year, the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) hosts the Food Security Summit, which brings together community leaders, advocates, nonprofits, policymakers, and residents to discuss, collaborate, and innovate on food security solutions. This annual event serves as a catalyst for action, empowering individuals and organizations to build a more resilient and food-secure community.
WHAT WE EXPERIENCED
ENGAGING KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Food security, public policy, and community development experts share insights on the latest challenges and solutions.
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PANEL DISCUSSIONS & WORKSHOPS
Interactive sessions focused on food systems, nutrition, urban agriculture, and policy advocacy.
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COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Residents and community leaders share experiences, needs, and ideas to shape future food security efforts.
NETWORKING & COLLABORATION
A space to connect with local organizations, businesses, and policymakers committed to fighting hunger.
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RECOGNITION OF COMMUNITY IMPACT
Honoring outstanding individuals and organizations through awards such as the Food Advocate of the Year and Rooted in the Community awards.
STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 2026 FOOD SECURITY SUMMIT
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
BEYOND THE PLATE: FOOD SECURITY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
“Our Food Summit represents the culmination of our past year's work in advancing the mission of the Greater High Point Food Alliance. As we work to alleviate food insecurity and build more just and sustainable food systems, we realize that this work would not be possible without the collaboration and partnerships that bring strength and support to our community efforts. Our goal is to connect resources, build relationships, and reduce working in silos. By fostering stronger partnerships, we can increase our collective impact."
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Rebekah Dobbins, Executive Director
COMMUNITY AWARDS
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipient, Out of the Garden Project!
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Awarded to an organization, nonprofit, government agency, or business that, through creative solutions, has led to the development of innovative solutions to food insecurity, resulting in sustainable community impact.
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The winner of this award, Out of the Garden Project, "works to be an inclusive food provider and works collaboratively with various cultural groups. They provide food drops across the county and serve schools within the greater High Point community and were recently awarded a Food Security Fund grant to work within a local school to teach nutrition".
Out of the Garden Project: Beth Crise
Pastor Michael Ellerbe
"Pastor Ellerbe has operated a food pantry for over 25 + years, well before the city was listed as a food desert. He serves on average about 125 families and 325 individuals monthly. In addition, Pastor Ellerbe has taken action to address community hunger and food insecurity by spearheading a monthly Neighborhood Food Drive every 2nd Saturday of the month. He also provides food and water for the homeless population around the High Point area. He uses his tireless energy and positive attitude to encourage others to work hard and succeed."
​​- Anonymous award nomination submission
​ JERRY MINGO FOOD SECURITY
ADVOCATE
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipient, Pastor Michael Ellerbe!
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Awarded to the individual who has been a leader in advocating for those struggling with food insecurity, who has been proactive in addressing food insecurity, and who has been a catalyst for change and sustainability.
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Jerry Mingo, President of the Burns Hill Neighborhood Association, was one of the founding board members of the Greater High Point Food Alliance. Under Jerry’s leadership, the Burns Hill Neighborhood Association started the Burns Hill Food Pantry and community garden. The pantry is meeting the neighborhood's needs, and the community garden has become its center.
In 2016, Jerry was named the Food Security Advocate of the Year because of his work for Burns Hill and the whole city. Jerry cares deeply about his community and the city he loves. Because of his love for our city, we have chosen to honor him with his name on this award going forward. His work and dedication to our community will always be remembered.​
​CARL W. VIERLING GROUNDBREAKER AWARD
Congratulations to
Senior Resources of Guilford!​
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This award went to Senior Resources of Guilford because of their ability to demonstrate uncommon vision, innovation and impact toward ensuring food security for everyone in the Greater High Point and Guilford County areas.
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The merger between Senior Resources of Guilford and Mobile Meals has had a profound impact on our senior clients. Senior Resources took on the responsibility for service delivery, training volunteers, and hiring an additional social worker who works out of the High Point office, to conduct assessments twice a year with each participant. With the support of our social workers and bi-annual assessments, we are able to provide not only our core services but also wrap-around community-based services, enabling individuals to remain in the program longer.
Senior Resources of Guilford
"The collaboration between Senior Resources of Guilford County and Mobile Meals has allowed us to serve the 142 clients previously supported by Mobile Meals, resulting in a total of 278 seniors in the Greater High Point area receiving daily nutritious meals and over 42,000 meals delivered during FY 2024-2025, while also enhancing the quality of the meals to better meet the nutritional needs of our seniors."
These awards are given to individuals who work or live in the Greater High Point area which includes Archdale, High Point, Jamestown, Trinity and the areas around these communities.
Below you will find a list of past award winners for each of the following: Jerry Mingo Food Security Advocate, Rooted in Community Award, and the Carl W Vierling Groundbreaker Award.
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Jerry Mingo Food Security Advocate Award: Awarded to the individual who has been a leader in advocating for those struggling with food insecurity, who has been proactive in addressing food insecurity, and who has been a catalyst for change and sustainability.
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Rooted In Community Award: Awarded to an organization, nonprofit, government agency, or business that through creative solutions has led to the development of innovative solutions to food insecurity resulting in sustainable community impact.
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The Carl W. Vierling Groundbreaker Award: Presented to individuals and/or organizations who, like its namesake, demonstrate uncommon vision, innovation and impact toward ensuring food security for everyone in the Greater High Point and Guilford County areas.
This award will not necessarily be awarded annually.
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Past Award Winners
Year | Jerry Mingo Food Security Advocate | Rooted in Community | Carl W Vierling Groundbreaker |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Pastor Michael Ellerbe | Out of the Garden Project | Senior Resources of Guilford |
2024 | Matt Thiel | Helping Hands; HPU Americorps VISTA Program | Carl Vierling - Inaugural Groundbreaker Award |
2023 | Milton Roundtree | A Simple Gesture | |
2022 | Sherman Marshall | High Point Community Development | |
2020 | Latoya Bullock, Emily McCollum | YWCA of High Point | |
2019 | Rev. Deon Sanders | Life on Lexington | |
2018 | Bobby Smith | High Point Public Library | |
2017 | Patrick Harman | From the Ground Up (predecessor to Growing High Point) | |
2016 | Jerry Mingo | ||
2015 | Carl Vierling |