15 Years of Giving Back

Since its inception in 2011, the Barrel Full of Money (BFOM) fundraising campaign has raised over $700,000 for local families, uniting wineries and local businesses through the power of wine and community. In the event’s first year, Cayuse General Manager and BMAC Board Member Trevor Dorland approached Duane Wollmuth, then Executive Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine, with an idea that could put the region’s wine to work: two wine barrels placed at the Olive Marketplace & Café and The Marcus Whitman Hotel to collect donations.

“The goal of the campaign,” said Duane Wollmuth in the 2011 press release, “is to fill two wine barrels with money that will then be used to buy food for those in Walla Walla County who struggle in today’s economy. [WWVW] believed that through a coordinated effort and close partnership with other community organizations, we could go further in easing the financial burden many people feel when putting food on the table.”

BFOM’s 2012 campaign expanded its scope, adding canisters at wineries, tasting-room fee donations, raffle tickets, and an Olive Café kickoff event. These efforts, combined with the community’s generosity, raised an astounding $13,500 in support of the BMAC Food Bank.

What started as two barrels in downtown Walla Walla quickly grew into a beloved annual tradition, fueled by the generosity of Walla Walla Valley winemakers, wineries, and businesses — all uniting behind a shared dream of a brighter future for every neighbor.

Each year, this legacy of generosity continues to set new records and strengthen the bonds that make the Walla Walla Valley so special. Here’s to 15 years — and to the enduring power of wine and community.

About Blue Mountain Action Council:

Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) is a Community Action Agency that provides services to meet the essential needs of individuals in Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties and move them from crisis to thriving. BMAC’s programs help uplift communities by ensuring access to food, housing, and job training. For more information, visit www.bmacww.org or call (509) 529-4980.

About Walla Walla Valley Wine: 

Walla Walla Valley Wine (WWVW) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building an internationally acclaimed wine brand for the Walla Walla Valley. The organization provides marketing programs and serves as a leading resource for consumers, media, and trade. For more information, visit www.wallawallawine.com or call (509) 526-3117.