On April 23rd, 24th, and 25th of 2025, the Houston Food Bank honored its most outstanding corporate volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. A grand total of 193 corporations attended the three-day awards — The cumulative hours/meals donated for the corporations that attended the 2024 award ceremonies: 72,025 hours donated in 2024 (facilitating a total of 4,321,483 meals)

Awards were given in the following categories:

  • GOLD (April 23rd):  total of 31 organizations earned this 2024 award with a total of 38,193.2 hours donated (facilitated 2,291,592 meals)
  • SILVER (April 24th): total of 51 organizations earned this 2024 award with a total of 16,460.52 hours donated (987,631.2 meals)
  • BRONZE (April 25th):  total of 111 organizations earned this 2024 award with a total of 17,371 hours donated (facilitated 1,042,260 meals)

At the Gold award ceremony, the Houston Grand Opera performed in beginning and end of the ceremony.  For each of the award ceremonies, Bright Lights & Balloons donated the decorations; and Houston Food Bank’s 535 Catering & Conference Center premiered 3 delicious appetizers from our new Executive Chef, Axel Dirolf.

Award recipients received a President’s Volunteer Service Award certificate and pin, which was presented by HFB President and CEO Brian Greene (Silver and Bronze Awards), and Julie Voss, Chief Development Officer (Gold Awards).

To participate in a corporate volunteer experience to begin to accumulate donated time for the 2025 President’s Volunteer Service Awards, please contact Kathy Lipman, Corporate Engagement Senior Manager at klipman@houstonfoodbank.org.

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AWARD EXPLANATION:

George H.W. Bush, while serving as President of the United States, initiated the Points of Light Foundation in 1990 to encourage and empower individuals to contribute to solving societal problems through volunteerism. The foundation, now an independent, nonpartisan organization, continues to promote this spirit of service. President Bush’s vision for the foundation was expressed in his inaugural address on January 20, 1989:

“…I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding…”

President George H. W. Bush

In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) – a program to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors volunteer service that positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take-action. Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation the PVSA program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize volunteers. Over the years, the PVSA has continued under each new administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation.

Through your organization’s cumulative group efforts volunteering at the Houston Food Bank (HFB) your organization has earned this award. For more information about the award, click here: President’s Volunteer Service Award — website