Atlanta Gas Light, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL) , together with News/Talk 750 WSB, the most trusted source for news, weather and traffic, today announced that Bill Bolling, founder and executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank (www.acfb.org), has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 Shining Light Award. This award, established in 1963, is one of Atlanta's most prestigious honors and recognizes outstanding business and community leaders for their individual contributions to build a better Atlanta.
Bolling joins an impressive list of Atlantans who have received the Shining Light Award, including: President Jimmy Carter; Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy; baseball legend Hank Aaron; U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young; Shepherd Center co-founder Alana Shepherd; the late former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson; founder of the Georgia Aquarium and Marcus Institute Bernie Marcus; as well as businessman and civil rights leader Jesse Hill, Jr.
Bolling founded the Atlanta Community Food Bank and has served as its executive director since 1979. In this capacity he oversees the distribution of more than 20 million pounds of food and grocery products each year through more than 800 local and regional nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry. Prior to his association with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, he served as director of community ministries for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta.
"All of Atlanta salutes Bill Bolling with the Shining Light Award," said John W. Somerhalder II, AGL Resources chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Without him, there would be no Atlanta Community Food Bank. It is exceptionally fitting that we honor him this year, when the Atlanta Community Food Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary, and when the need in our community for the Food Bank's services has never been greater. We celebrate Bill's vision, his passion and his commitment to be a voice for the underserved."
In addition to his work with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Bolling, who grew up in Lexington, N.C., is a frequent speaker on topics related to hunger, poverty, regionalism, affordable housing and public policy reform. He is a charter member of the Board of Directors of Feeding America, the national network of food banks (formerly America's Second Harvest). He also serves on the Regional Commission on Homelessness, the Nonprofit Advisory Committee of the Andrew Young School at Georgia State University, and the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta. He is founder of the Atlanta Housing Forum, begun in 1988, and continues to serve as moderator of the Regional Housing Forum. He is past chair of the Board of the Regional Leadership Forum and the State of Georgia Housing Trust Fund Commission.
"In addition to his outstanding organizational and management skills, Bill is a magnificent bridge-builder," said Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light. "Through his ability to link just the right people and bring various public sectors and the business community together, he has found practical ways to fight hunger in Atlanta. The Atlanta Community Food Bank benefits those who need it most, and his efforts have strengthened our entire community in the process."
Beginning Oct. 12, WSB Radio will broadcast congratulatory messages to Bolling from several past award recipients. The announcements will also be streaming live on the station's Website, www.WSBRadio.com.
"Bill Bolling has touched the lives of so many people - in Atlanta and beyond," said Tony Kidd, VP market manager programming, News/Talk 750 WSB. "Bill developed the model for efficient food collection and distribution that is now used throughout the United States. We congratulate him and the Atlanta Community Food Bank as they embark on their next 30 years."
Shining Light awards, which are eternally burning natural gas lamps, adorn many areas of Atlanta. Each historic gaslight is installed in a location that is meaningful to the recipient. Bolling's award will be unveiled on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at a public event in his honor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in downtown Atlanta, 435 Peachtree St.
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