Nov. 9, 2017

Feeding Matters Advances Research into Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Shannon Goldwater, Feeding Matters founder and strategic advisor, center

Arizona-based Feeding Matters raised more than $320,000 during its Fifth Annual Community Luncheon on Oct. 16 at the Arizona Biltmore. More than 700 gathered to help the nonprofit organization advance research, identification and collaborative care of pediatric feeding disorders. Kim Covington emceed the luncheon.

Presented by Jaburg|Wilk Attorneys at Law, the fundraiser was supported by local sponsors, including Shamrock Farms, Arizona Community Foundation, JRM Environmental, Lerner & Rower Gives Back, Mercy Care Plan|Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care and Miracle Mile Deli. Long-time donors Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance, Judy and Bill Schubert, the Garcia family of Miracle Mile Deli, Linda and Bill Langer, and Shannon and Bob Goldwater united to provide a dollar-for-dollar donation match of the first $85,000 raised. George Garcia served as the honorary luncheon chair.

Shannon Goldwater, Feeding Matters founder and strategic advisor, is also competing against finalists from Alabama, California and Nevada for The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, presented by Nationwide. Determined by online voting, the award winner will receive a $100,000 donation to their charity while the other three finalists will receive $25,000 for each of their charities. The award honors the memory and the philanthropic legacy of The NASCAR Foundation’s late founder, Betty Jane France, who passed away last August.

Feeding matters is the only organization in the world devoted to accelerating identification, igniting research, promoting collaborative care and encouraging awareness and understanding for pediatric feeding disorders. In 2016, the organization reached more than 65,000 parents and medical professionals from 43 states and 12 countries.

PHOTOS COURTESY FEEDING MATTERS