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Feed the Foothills Sponsor Recognized for Community Inspiration

 November 17, 2021 – Tryon, NC (For Immediate Release – Contact: Don Borreson (404) 441-3940)

In a Foothills region known by its heart for giving, caring neighbors will often offer their time or donate money. And some take the opportunity to devote significant amounts of both.

For the hugely successful ‘Feed the Foothills’ food drive, title sponsor Tryon Horse & Home and Broker/Owner Karl Small led by example. Their efforts inspired community partners and companies across the area to benefit Operation Hope (Landrum, SC) and Outreach (Columbus, NC) food pantries. The campaign, conducted during FeedingAmerica.org “Hunger Action Month”, provided the charities with vitally needed non-perishable food items and essential funds to support their operations this Fall.

‘Feed the Foothills’ organizer Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce joined Operation Hope and Outreach at the Tryon Horse & Home offices today to recognize the sponsor’s energy and commitment – creating a powerful impact to serve families in need. They presented Karl Small and his team with a glass plaque etched with the ‘Feed the Foothills’ logo and the message “In Appreciation of Tryon Horse & Home for community inspiration to fight food insecurity”.  

The firm, a leading realtor for equestrian properties and distinctive homes in the Carolinas, led ‘Feed the Foothills’ PR efforts and generated wide participation in raffle prize donation and ticket sales. Small also volunteered to serve as the Emcee for the food drive and benefit concert at Harmon Field Music Festival on September 25^th. The result: ‘Feed the Foothills’ collected over 1.5 tons of food, and with Tryon Horse & Home matching the Chamber of Commerce $10,000 donation, raised over $24,000 for the two charities.

Foothills Chamber Executive Director Don Borreson described the pivotal role played by the title sponsor, noting “Karl came to us in the early stages of planning ‘Feed the Foothills’, and proactively set the tone for community involvement and support.” Susan Tompkins of Operation Hope shared her gratitude, saying, “The food drive and fundraising came at an ideal time, when we had to restock our shelves and expand our facilities to serve more people. What a blessing!” Margot Carter, Executive Director of Outreach, echoed her appreciation as well. “We are so thankful the Foothills Chamber mobilized the entire region to fight food insecurity, and that Tryon Horse & Home showed us all how to get involved.”

Surrounded by Tryon Horse & Home colleagues, Chamber personnel and leaders from the two charities, Small reflected on his team’s role as a catalyst for community giving. “We are so fortunate to live in this wonderful area, and most of us never think about the anxiety that hunger and food insecurity can place on parents and their children. I’m glad the Chamber developed ‘Feed the Foothills’ to address this very real problem, and we are grateful to have had a chance to contribute to the success of the campaign.”

To reach the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce, call 828-859-6236, or visit CarolinaFoothillsChamber.com. To learn more about Operation Hope, visit OperationHopeLandrum.org; for Outreach, visit TBOutreach.org.