Volvo Rents’ Comedy Show Generates Nearly One Ton of Food for MANNA Food Bank

Dec. 5, 2008
Volvo Rents recently announced its donation of nearly one ton of food to MANNA Food Bank after collecting donations at its Hard Hat Comedy Show, held last month at Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. The standing-room-only crowd enjoyed five comedians, two live bands and a cocktail party, with admission price set at three canned goods.

Volvo Rents recently announced its donation of nearly one ton of food to MANNA Food Bank after collecting donations at its Hard Hat Comedy Show, held last month at Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. The standing-room-only crowd enjoyed five comedians, two live bands and a cocktail party, with admission price set at three canned goods.

“We are truly honored to make this donation to MANNA Food Bank,” said Nick Mavrick, communications executive for Volvo Rents. “It exceeded our expectations, and would not have been possible without the people who turned out for the event. Some attendees also donated cash for MANNA, which was a nice surprise.”

MANNA will distribute the food to its partner agencies — pantry programs, homeless shelters and soup kitchens — throughout western North Carolina. Also, for every $10, MANNA is able to provide enough food to its partner agencies for 25 meals.

“The cash donations will translate to an additional 1,125 meals going to people in need,” said John Fritchie, MANNA’s director of resource development. “The food was excellent quality, and will feed hungry children, women and men in need. No matter how you slice it, this event was a tremendous success.”

Volvo Rents also handed out Operation Thank You bags to all show attendees. Operation Thank You is Volvo Rents’ program that recognizes the hard work and sacrifice of coalition troops currently serving in military operations overseas.

National touring comedian, Carmen — “The Construction Comic” — Ciricillo, headlined the show. Jerry Carroll, Julie Scoggins and Ed Fox also appeared, with Larry Weaver serving as emcee.

MANNA FoodBank is a private, not-for-profit service organization, founded in 1982, that links the food industry with 331 partner agencies in 16 counties of western North Carolina.

Asheville, N.C.-based Volvo Rents is No. 17 on the RER 100. It operates equipment rental centers in North America, Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Poland and Austria), and Mexico.