The block party at 2308 Elizabeth Drive, hosted by Heath and Amanda Bundick, is the 2022 winner of the Traveling Tuna Trophy. A canned tuna drive is held each year in conjunction with National Night Out block parties – which took place Tuesday night – to benefit Good Samaritan Ministries, as neighborhood parties annually compete to win the traveling tuna trophy.

The party held by the Bundicks generated 206 cans of tuna while finishing second was the 2021 champions – Jimmy Trowbridge and Shirley Dawson at 606 Roanoke – with 159 cans, and Delores Boswell and Tanglewood Gardens provided 102 cans of tuna for GSM.

“There was a lot of good competition,” said Leesa Stephens, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “Overall this year a lot of tuna was purchased at United. Their goal was 2,022 cans and they surpassed that goal a week ago. It looks like this has been a good year with 4,000 cans of tuna. It’s an inexpensive, great source of protein for families and we’ll start adding that in our food pantry immediately.

“We want to thank everyone in the community that participated whether you went to a National Night Out Party or whether you purchased tuna at United. We really appreciate your support of Good Samaritan Ministries. We very much want to thank the Chamber, Chief (Ed) Kading and James Stroope with the Sheriff’s Office for allowing us to piggy back on this event.”

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Representatives from the Brownwood Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Early Police Department, area fire departments, and city officials traveled around Brownwood, Early, and Brown County and visited these gatherings and to speak to those in attendance.

“It’s beautiful how our community comes together for this event,” said Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kandice Harris. “Going to the block parties, it was very inspiring to see all the neighbors come out and be willing to met local law enforcement and firefighters and be a part of that conversation. That’s the most powerful part of this event and I love to see it.”