An Evening of Community, Connection, and Impact

FeedNC welcomed roughly 280 guests to Gather at the Table, a heartfelt evening celebrating our mission to nourish lives and uplift our community. Held at Donoghue’s Open Door on May 3rd, the event highlighted the power of coming together around food, purpose, and hope. With a goal of raising $350,000, we’re thrilled to share that—thanks to your incredible generosity—we surpassed it in a big way, raising $560,000! It’s a powerful testament to the heart, authenticity, and intentionality each of you brought to the table.

Kicking Off a Night of Impact

Guests were invited to bid on our raffle and silent auction items, explore a festive kickoff featuring a curated charcuterie board, bourbon tasting by Oaklore Distilling Co., photo booth, full bar, and a spread of cheese, crackers, fruit, and shrimp. The incredible international trips, presented by AMFund were a hit! The celebration continued with a silent auction and music by DJ Jeremey Shaw, bringing energy and purpose to every moment.

Opening with Gratitude and Heart

The incredibly talented Molly Grantham emceed the evening with grace and energy, setting the stage for a powerful night rooted in celebration, gratitude, and community impact. The night centered around the theme "Food in Motion"—not just a name, but a mission and a movement: a commitment to rescuing perfectly good food and delivering it to those who need it most.

Molly honored our presenting sponsor, Trane Technologies, and welcomed their CEO, Dave Regnery, to the stage. Dave spoke passionately about Trane Technologies’ and Thermo King’s shared dedication to ending food insecurity through community collaboration, shared resources, and meaningful financial support.

The first of two powerful videos debuted during the evening spotlighted the natural alignment between FeedNC’s mission and Thermo King's We Move Food initiative, underscoring a shared vision to create lasting change through action and innovation.Molly engaged the audience with five impactful facts about FeedNC’s mission and reach, reminding us of the real change happening every day. Chief Operating Officer Brittany Holbert then took the stage to present a special gift to one of our member families, followed by a moving video that captured the heart of FeedNC’s work and the lives being transformed.

Stories That Stir the Heart

FeedNC’s CDO, Bonnie Battalia, thanked the many event sponsors of the evening, followed by CEO Lara Ingram, who shared a powerful and heartfelt letter from a FeedNC member that reminded us all why we gather—to serve, to uplift, and to build community. Lara then offered a blessing before dinner, inviting guests to share in a meal that nourished the body and celebrated our impact together.

Let the Paddle Raise Begin

The energy continued to build as the paddle raise began, offering guests the opportunity to make a direct impact in support of FeedNC’s mission. The evening concluded with our exciting Paddle Drop. Guests had the chance to win incredible prizes, including a pair of stunning diamond earrings donated by Jewelers on Main in Mooresville and an elegant overnight stay at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte—perfect for a little sparkle or a well-deserved escape.

A Sweet Ending to a Night of Generosity

To close out an unforgettable evening, guests gathered once more as the bar reopened, desserts were served, and warm coffee flowed from the bar. Silent auction winners were announced, the photobooth sparked laughter and memories, and the dance floor came alive in celebration. It was the perfect finale to Gather at the Table—a night filled with generosity, joy, and community coming together to nourish hope.