Governor Bob McDonnell has challenged chambers of commerce across the Commonwealth to the first ever Governor’s Bowl Food and Fund Drive. In conjunction with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Governor’s Bowl campaign began on Memorial Day and continues to Independence Day, helping to keep Virginia’s food banks stocked during the summer months. The competition is organized regionally, with the Governor’s Bowl going to the chamber or state agency that brings in the most pounds of food for its local food bank.

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has accepted the challenge and is competing with similar sized chambers across the Commonwealth. "We encourage residents across the Greater Springfield area to drop off canned food donations at participating locations," challenged Nevin Gibson, chair of the Chamber's Community Affairs Committee. "Help us bring home the trophy and support our fellow residents in need."

In 2007, then-Attorney General McDonnell spearheaded the Legal Food Frenzy, a philanthropic competition among Virginia’s legal community benefiting food banks statewide. The Governor’s Bowl is modeled off the extremely successful Legal Food Frenzy, extending the competition to businesses large and small as well as state agencies.

Speaking about the Governor’s Bowl at the campaign's kick-off press conference Governor McDonnell said, “The Governor’s Bowl is a unique opportunity to bring large corporations, small businesses and public sector employees together for a cause that everyone can agree with – and that is combating hunger in our communities. As Virginians, we are fortunate to live in a Commonwealth full of plenty; however, hunger remains pervasive.”

Leslie Van Horn, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, added, “Summertime is one of the most challenging times to keep our distribution centers filled with food and this statewide effort will make a huge difference to over 1 million Virginians in need of emergency food assistance.”

Three chamber offices and one state government office will receive a Governor’s Bowl based on the total number of pounds of food donated (every dollar donated will equal four pounds). Chamber offices are competing with other like-size offices in categories small, medium and large as determined by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteers from the Greater Springfield Chamber's Community Affairs Committee will pick-up the donated food from our participating businesses and deliver it to the Capital Area Food Bank. Governor McDonnell will personally deliver awards to the winning chamber offices after the conclusion of the Governor’s Bowl.

Help us, Patch readers, bring the Governor to our very giving community!