Taking a Bite Out of Hunger 2010 – 2nd Harvest Tri-Cities

Last night was the 5th annual Second Harvest Tri-Cities signature fund raising event, “Taking a Bite Out of Hunger” at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. What better way to raise money to fight hunger than bringing together hundreds of individuals and businesses for a silent auction and food tastings from different local restaurants as well as wine and beer. My wife, Von, and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This is the 3rd year that our office has purchased a table at the event and we are looking forward already to attending again next year.

Nineteen of the areas finest restaurants provided samples of their signature dishes. But to call them samples is to do them injustice. I am not sure I was able to visit all the restaurants’ tables before I was overfull. I should have skipped breakfast and dinner!

I did have a glass of wine early in the evening but soon found the microbrewery table. Five area microbreweries supplied one of their brews on tap. The Atomic Amber was the darkest beer available and so was my first choice and I was not disappointed. Later, when I returned for more I realized this was a perfect opportunity to try them all. Over the course of the evening I “forced” myself to accomplish this daunting task. Of the remaining four brews the one that stood out was the “Steamy Cream” from Prosser’s Whitstran Brewing

The entertainment for the evening was a fun performance by Danny Vernon as “The Illusion of Elvis”. I tried to get Von to have her photo taken with him but she must be allergic to Elvis cause when he came near our table during part of the performance she disappeared faster than I could pull out my camera.

While taking a bite, all who attended also were able to take a bite out of hunger in our local area by bidding on items in a silent auction as well as purchasing items outright. All the money raised is used locally to help those in need. Von bought a ‘grab box’ with three bottles of wine for $50 and I purchased a John Clement print of the Wallula Gap and Two Sisters for $395. Nice to be able to help and enjoy ourselves at the same time.

Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

From the 2nd Harvest website:

Second Harvest Tri-Cities brings community resources together to feed people in need through empowerment, education and partnerships.

• Since opening in 1997, Second Harvest Tri-Cities has increased food distribution and improved services to people in need throughout the Columbia Basin.
• The 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Kennewick distributed 2.7 million pounds, including 1.5 million pounds of fresh produce and other perishable products, last year.
• More than 80 partner charities, including neighborhood food banks and meal centers, receive food to provide to people in need.

Second Harvest Tri-Cities is committed to ensuring a safe and nutritious supply of food is available to families, children and seniors in need in our neighborhoods. Thanks to generous community partners, Second Harvest is able to provide six pounds of donated food for every dollar donated. This makes every donation to Second Harvest a valuable investment in fighting hunger and feeding hope.