Fargo-Moorhead TV affiliate making a difference to help feed hungry neighbors
FARGO, N.D. – As a result of their direct service to help feed those in need along with sharing the critical message of hunger to their viewers throughout the region, the Great Plains Food Bank has named Fargo-Moorhead based media outlet Valley News Live as its Marv Bossart Voice of Hunger Award recipient for 2022. First launched in 2021, the Marv Bossart Voice of Hunger Award lifts up amazing members of the media that go above and beyond sharing the mission of the Great Plains Food Bank and exemplify what it means to be a true hunger-relief champion.
Valley News Live has displayed a longstanding commitment sharing the mission of the Great Plains Food Bank and engaging in its work to feed those in need throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minn. Specifically, when the Great Plains Food Bank faced a large increase in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, Valley News Live immediately engaged its viewers by hosting a virtual food drive that raised more than $30,000 for the organization to quickly help the surge in demand. However, it was just the beginning and would be the first of four virtual food drives hosted by the station over the next two and a half years to benefit the Great Plains Food Bank and totaled more than $96,000, which is enough to provide more than 192,000 meals for those in need.
Valley News Live has also set a high standard for its coverage of the work of the Great Plains Food Bank through its regular newscasts consistent inclusion via its original programming including North Dakota Today and The Valley Today morning shows.
“The impact Valley News Live makes to help in our work goes beyond their generous coverage of hunger-relief, which is also crucial to our efforts,” Great Plains Food Bank Communications Manager Jared Slinde said. “They have also placed themselves at the forefront as one of our strongest community partners tackling the issue of hunger head on. It’s difficult to put into words the difference all of their coverage and work done with our virtual food drive platform has made. The lives of children, families and seniors have been changed because of their commitment.”
“It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be chosen by the good folks at the Great Plains Food Bank for the Marv Bossart Voice of Hunger Award,” Valley News Live Vice President and General Manager Ike Walk said. “No one should have to go hungry and it’s our passion to work with organizations like the Great Plains Food Bank and do what we can to address the growing need in the area.”
A legendary evening broadcaster in the Fargo-Moorhead area for more than four decades and a Minnesota State University-Moorhead journalism instructor for 37 years, Bossart was a true champion for the Great Plains Food Bank and the fight to end hunger. He served on the advisory board and as vice president of the Great Plains Food Bank Fargo-Moorhead Food Recovery Program for more than a decade and remained a fixture around the Great Plains Food Bank warehouse for years. Bossart passed away in 2013 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
About the Marv Bossart Voice of Hunger Award
Valuable members of the media and vocal members inside our communities are crucial to the fight to end hunger. The only food bank in the state of North Dakota, the Great Plains Food Bank could not perform this service without powerful champions sharing our mission and telling the community how to volunteer, donate and where those struggling with food insecurity can access our services. With these thoughts in mind, we wished to lift up those incredible media members and community members that continually go the extra mile sharing the message of our work by awarding the Great Plains Food Bank Marv Bossart Voice of Hunger Award. Their service is invaluable. Read more about the award HERE.