Oxford College of Emory Chef Honored with Life-Changer Award
When the Bon Appétit team of Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, GA, volunteered to host the third annual Farm to Table: A Community Dinner to End Childhood Hunger for Action Ministries, Executive Chef Duke Walsh had no idea it would be life changing.
Lifechangers Award recipients Action Ministries volunteer Kim Hubbard, Oxford College Executive Chef Duke Walsh, and volunteer Kathy Dobbs, with Action Ministries Regional Director Tamara Richardson and Action Ministries CEO Kelley Henderson
Duke and his team created a delicious buffet meal with food, produce, and resources donated by local vendors White Oak Pastures, Bread and Butter Bakery, Pearson Farm, Crystal Organic Farm, Farmview Market, Harrison Family Farm, Oxford Organic Farm, Riverview Farms, and Wildtree/Debby Vanderbunt.
That part was business as usual. But then he was called up to receive Action Ministries’ Life Changer Award, given to someone who goes above and beyond to give back to their community. “Needless to say I was a little surprised and speechless when it was presented,” said Duke. In the three years that the event has taken place, the money raised has generated enough funds to translate into more than 54,000 SuperPack meals for school-age children in the county who experience weekend hunger. Duke added, “I never in a million years thought this event would impact so many people. I’m proud and grateful that I could do it.”