The Plano Committee:
Fighting Hunger Together
Left to Right: Jessica Quiñonez, Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Almas Muscatwalla, Michele Mecca and Jackie
Fleming visit John Paul II High School, where more than 5,000 pounds of peanut butter were collected.
The Plano Committee was started
with a simple question in mind:
What would happen if a city, its
citizens, schools and businesses
joined forces to address hunger?
Al Ely was just the man to assist
with this project.
Al is the Vice President of HarleyDavidson Financial Services.
He recalls being invited to get
involved with local hunger
relief efforts by Mayor Harry
LaRosiliere. Shocked by how
much work needed to be done to
feed more children and families in
the community, Al knew he had
to help. Together, Mayor Harry
and Al have helped raise over $1
million to help feed Plano children.
In order to increase the North
Texas Food Bank's visibility
in the community, a special
group was formed — the Plano
Committee — which mobilizes
the community to further support
the Food 4 Kids - Plano program.
Al accepted the invitation to serve
as the chairperson.
Under Al’s leadership, there are
now 11 community members
6
Around the Table
on the committee, all working
to support a number of local
initiatives to feed hungry
children — and their families —
in Plano. Its priorities include a
volunteer day, an annual peanut
butter drive and a Thanksgiving
food drive while continuing to
raise awareness about childhood
hunger throughout the year.
The Plano Committee has
delivered results. Committee
members have encouraged more
than 15 Plano businesses and
organizations to provide their
support to the program this
year. Additionally, thanks to the
Committee’s leadership, 27,618
pounds were collected at this
year’s Peanut Butter Drive – nearly
three times more than last year!
Plano Committee
Members
Al Ely, Chair
Almas Muscatwalla
Christie Stanley
Cynthia Eppler-Lewis
“We’re just scratching the
surface right now,” says Al. The
Committee hopes that their work
can serve as a model for other
North Texas cities and beyond!
Greg Cavanagh
Thank you, Al, and the whole
Plano Committee for helping
make North Texas hunger-free
for children and families!
Pam Wohlers
Jackie Fleming
Laura Churchill
Lorraine Darley
Michele Mecca
Pastor Paul Mussachio
Ron Johnson