The awards sought to highlight the efforts of volunteers and partners throughout Mississippi since the organization first began its work in 2009. Extra Table FEEDS Executive Director Martha Allen Price said that after 16 years of work, the non-profit wanted to recognize those who helped make it possible to fulfill their mission.
"We see so many people receiving accolades and acknowledgments and we had never formalized the plan in order to, you know, create a formal awards program at Extra Table, something that people could look forward to in a special way that we could honor different people for the things that they do," Price said.
This year’s awards span ten categories, with multiple recipients in some. Instead of a single ceremony, Extra Table FEEDS delivered each award in person during its Good on the Go Tour, visiting honorees in their own communities. Price said the format underscores the commitment award winners have shown by consistently showing up for Extra Table and for their neighbors.
"The whole point behind the Good on the Go Awards is of course, number one, to honor the people That make our work possible and celebrate them," Price said. "But the Good on the Go Tour is about, you know, recognizing that there are people all across our state that are doing the good work of feeding and partnering with Extra Table."
Among the honorees is Hattiesburg volunteer Lisa Brown said that receiving the award felt like a blessing. Brown, a retired schoolteacher originally started volunteering to spend more time with her daughter, but it soon became a larger part of her life. Brown said that doing the work has opened her eyes, and that she felt a calling to serve in her local community.
"It was unexpected... it means a whole lot to me because I don't do this to get recognition. I do it because it's what I'm led to do," Brown said.
Brown won the "Orange We Grateful for You" award, which highlights outstanding volunteers across the state. Winners for nine of the ten categories were chosen by other volunteers and partners that work alongside the recipients during a four-week voting window.
Extra Table FEEDS has operated since 2009 and currently supports 70 food pantries across Mississippi. The non-profit organization does not rely on federal dollars but is instead funded through fundraisers and donations. More information about Extra Table FEEDS can be found at extratable.org.
