Special fundraiser to benefit Plenty! features work of mysterious local artist, William Bruce Brittingham
The nonprofit recently announced a unique fundraiser made possible through the donation of over 40 original paintings by local artist William Bruce Brittingham, who passed away in September 2025.
Plenty! Farm and Food Bank, a farm that sits on 17 acres off of Route 8, is a vital resource, providing food for more than 300 people weekly throughout Floyd County. The nonprofit recently announced a unique fundraiser made possible through the donation of over 40 original paintings by local artist William Bruce Brittingham, who passed away in September 2025.
Plenty's first-ever art sale and auction is set to take place March 23-28. Proceeds will benefit the food bank's operations.
"We are not an art center, but we thought, 'What an interesting way to bring funding in that is a little bit different'," said Shannon Hardwicke, executive director of Plenty. The unexpected donation has provided the food bank with a creative opportunity to help address its $22,000 budget expense shortfall while also honoring the memory of a generous community member.
The paintings, ranging from large canvas works to smaller watercolor on paper — and some limited prints supplied by Finn Graphics — will be available for suggested donations between $25 and $300. The organization has also launched an online auction featuring three special pieces, and the auction is open for bids through March 28.
Plenty Farm and Food Bank, established in 2008 by Karen Day and McCabe Coolidge, operates 192 Elephant Curve Road, with 4.5 acres of its property dedicated solely to farming. The organization's origin reflects the grassroots nature of so many nonprofits local to Floyd: Day was volunteering and gleaning when she found herself unable to donate all the beet greens she had collected. This moment sparked the creation of an organization dedicated to ensuring healthy food reaches those in need.
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Today, Plenty operates with just five paid staff personnel, including only one dedicated farmer. Officials coordinate average of 73 volunteer shifts weekly, which comes to over 150 volunteers hours per week, according to Alix Mallard, assistant executive director.
There are many ways that community members in need are able to access food from Plenty. The drive through panty is open three days a week, and volunteers also deliver food to housebound individuals with medical necessities. Plenty also sponsors the Floyd Free Fridges at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library and Tri-Area Community Health, which are open to all community members as hours of operation allow.
Hardwicke said that the amount of food Plenty is able to distribute is possible because of three core resources: (1) Food Rescue Operations, which is where volunteers pick up donated food from Food Lion twice daily, along with in-kind collections from Dollar General stores and Family Dollar in Floyd; (2) Local Support where farms like Riverstone contribute donations of fresh produce; and (3) Grants.
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"The thing about in-kind donations is that we can't control what comes in," Hardwicke and Mallard explained. "We can't control what Food Lion has to give to us. We may have a lot of produce, and in the winter we are short fresh produce. In the summer, we are short meat. We need funding to supplement what we don't have, and what isn't donated. We need to fill those gaps.”
Hardwicke noted that yearly “in-kind donations help us give even more. When somebody gives us food, that can help drive our costs down quite a bit, because we then don't have to go purchase the food.”
William Bruce Brittingham, the artist who left his life's work to the nonprofit, remains something of a mystery to the organization. His wife Susan, a well-known local fiber artist, predeceased him, and according to the executor of the estate, “no children or relatives are known.”
Hardwicke believes some paintings may depict local scenes: "Some of his pieces might be local houses. They really look familiar... It seems like some local farms."
Plenty encourages anyone who knew Bruce and would be willing to share some memories about him, or anyone who recognizes scenes from his paintings to contact them at Plenty@SWVA.net.
"We want to know more about this person who gives as much as Bruce has given," Hardwicke said. "It is nice to lift them up and to be able to say thank you."
Community members can see Brittingham's works on the second floor of Plenty! Farm and Food Bank (194 Elephant Curve Rd.) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., March 23-28. A reception will be held from 3-4 p.m. on March 28 to celebrate both the art sale and the community's support of Plenty.
Attendees can dress casually or "make it as fancy as you want," according to organizers. This reception also marks the final day to acquire one of Brittingham's unique pieces.
All proceeds will directly support food purchases. "Even though we get donations of food, we never get enough to give," Hardwicke added.
For those unable to attend the art sale, Plenty welcomes both time and monetary donations year-round. More information is available through Plenty! Farm & Food Bank's website or by calling (540) 745-3898.
Pantry hours
Monday: 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday: 4-6:30 p.m.
