Van Cliburn Foundation gives back to Tarrant Area Food Bank

Cliburn staff members Katy McDaniel and Caitlin Salisbury pose in front of the moving truck after packing up items to donate to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

Over the past 50 years, the Van Cliburn Foundation has become the organization it is today because of the generosity and unwavering support of our local community. Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself to switch roles and assist other local organizations, we readily seized it.

In fall 2011, the Van Cliburn Foundation office received a welcome makeover with two generous donations of office furniture: one from Kelley Royer, courtesy of Royer & Schutts Commercial Interiors; the other from Marshall R. Young Oil Company thanks to Shannon Ray, long-serving Cliburn board member. These gifted desks, cabinets, and credenzas were symbolic in readying us for the work that lay ahead for the Cliburn's 50th Anniversary celebrations.

What, then, to do with our former desks, filing cabinets, chairs, and old-yet-still-functioning office equipment? We contacted Mary Kathryn Anderson, dedicated Cliburn volunteer and Director of Business Development for Tarrant Area Food Bank, who knew exactly how our donation could be best utilized. Tarrant Area Food Bank's mission is far broader than eliminating hunger in Fort Worth and 13 surrounding counties alone. It also gives resources to a network of partner charities and their communities, all of which depend on donations such as office furniture to support their administrative operations. On November 30, 2011, Cliburn staffers and Tarrant Area Food Bank movers worked tirelessly to fill an entire moving truck with items that would find new homes among charities where they were most needed.

We would like to extend our deep appreciation to Kelley Royer and Shannon Ray for the furniture donations and to Mary Kathryn Anderson and Tarrant Area Food Bank staff for a seamless moving day!