2025 Food Security Summit
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." - Rebekah Dobbins, Executive Director
2025 Community Award Winners
Rooted in the Community
Out of the Garden Project
Jerry Mingo Food Security Advocate
Pastor Michael Ellerbe
Carl Vierling Groundbreaker Award
Senior Resources of Guilford County
Rooted in the Community
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipient, Out of the Garden Project!
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.
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".
Jerry Mingo Food Security Advocate
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipient, Pastor Michael Ellerbe!
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.
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.
"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
Carl W. Vierling Groundbreaker Award
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipient, Senior Resources of Guilford County!
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.
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.
"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."