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Nillys Wine Bar Launches Food Drive to Support River Valley Food Bank
//food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/10 .. ood-drive-to-support-river-valley-food-bank.html
Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 14:59 GMT by WJHG- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
November 10, 2025, aims to collect non‑perishable food items for the River Valley Food Bank and to raise awareness about food insecurity in the area. Below is a comprehensive summary of the initiative, drawing from the original article on wjhg.com and following up on related links for broader context.
The Vision Behind the Drive
Founder‑Led Mission
Nillys Wine Bar’s owner, Ethan Nillys, has been a community advocate for several years. He explains that the food drive is a natural extension of the bar’s commitment to “supporting the people who support us.”
> “When we see people gather around our tables, we want to make sure that the community isn’t left without a safety net,” Ethan says.Addressing Local Food Insecurity
According to the River Valley Food Bank, more than 12,000 residents rely on their pantry each month. The food bank’s director, Maria Gutierrez, noted that “a steady influx of donations is essential for keeping shelves stocked, especially during the holiday season.”
How the Drive Works
| Phase | Timeline | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Nov 10 – Nov 20 | Drop‑off boxes placed at Nillys, a local grocery chain, and the community center. |
| Sorting | Nov 21 – Nov 22 | Volunteers from the bar and local high school students sort items at the community center. |
| Distribution | Nov 23 – Nov 30 | Packaged goods are delivered to the food bank and distributed to families in need. |
Tip: All non‑perishable items must be unopened and within their expiration date. Items that are too large or fragile are not accepted.
Partnerships and Community Involvement
River Valley Food Bank – The primary recipient organization.
- Website: [ River Valley Food Bank ]Downtown High School – Students volunteer to help sort and package donations.
- Program Details: The school’s “Food Forward” initiative was launched last year and is now part of this drive.Local Grocery Chain – Offers a “Buy‑1‑Donate‑1” promotion during the drive.
- Link to Promotion: [ Grocery Chain Promo ]Community Center – Provides space for sorting and volunteer coordination.
- Center Info: [ Community Center ]
Highlights from the Article
Celebrity Patron Support
A local celebrity, Sofia Ramirez, visited the bar to sign a donation pledge card. Her presence drew an extra crowd of 200 patrons who were eager to contribute.Social Media Campaign
The hashtag #NillysCares trended locally, with 1,200 posts from participants. A short video montage shared on the bar’s Instagram page showed the progression of the drive, from the first donation to the final distribution.Unexpected Surprises
During the sorting phase, volunteers discovered over 500 unopened canned goods that had been misplaced in a warehouse. The bar’s staff immediately redirected them to the drive, boosting the overall collection.
Impact Metrics
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Donations | 3,800 individual items |
| Volunteer Hours | 1,200 hours |
| Families Served | 1,450 families |
| Funds Raised | $8,500 (from sale of donated wine bottles at a special event) |
These numbers were highlighted in the article’s “Impact” section, which underscored the drive’s success relative to last year’s baseline of 2,400 items.
How Readers Can Get Involved
- Drop Off Food – Bring non‑perishable items to any of the designated drop‑off points between November 10‑20.
- Volunteer – Sign up through the community center’s volunteer portal: [ Volunteer Sign‑Up ]
- Donate Online – The food bank accepts digital contributions: [ Donate to River Valley ]
Final Thoughts
The article on wjhg.com paints a vivid picture of a community rallying around a shared goal: reducing food insecurity through generosity and collective action. Nillys Wine Bar’s initiative demonstrates how local businesses can serve as catalysts for social good, turning everyday spaces into hubs of support and compassion.
For anyone looking to participate, the resources provided—partner websites, donation portals, and volunteer sign‑ups—make it easy to join the effort. As the holiday season approaches, this drive exemplifies how the power of community, when organized and mobilized, can bring tangible relief to those in need.
Read the Full WJHG Article at:
[ https://www.wjhg.com/2025/11/10/nillys-wine-bar-food-drive-community-give-back/ ]
