Governor Earl Ray Tomblin honored the United Food Operation program today with his proclamation of support for our 30th anniversary food drive. This year’s drive, Winter Harvest 2012, is dedicated to the memory of UFO co-founder and long-time volunteer Windy Withrow, who died last month.

A good crowd of approximately 100 attendees came out on a snowy Friday morning. They heard Elaine Harris, UFO chair, tell a bit of the program’s history from the first winter food drive back in 1982. Letters were read from former Governor Bob Wise and former FMC plant manager Woody Waylan that both congratulated UFO at its 30th anniversary.

Governor Tomblin also recognized the work and dedication of the 13 food pantries that participate in United Food Operation.

Helping get things off on the right foot were representatives of Bayer CropScience, Dupont Belle Works, and Clearon, who presented contributions from the companies and their employees. Also heard was word of a generous donation from the West Virginia AFL-CIO.