Food Bank for Westchester To Host 16th Annual "Take Heart Against Hunger" Dinner Event

Jan. 11, 2012 - PRLog -- ELMSFORD, NY - January 11, 2012: The Food Bank for Westchester, which has been fighting hunger for 24 years, will host “Take Heart Against Hunger,” its 16th Annual Valentine’s Day Wine-Tasting Dinner. The event will take place Friday, February 10, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Tappan Hill Mansion, 81 Highland Avenue, Tarrytown, NY. Event co-chairs are Chappaqua resident Scott Boilen, a member of FBW’s Board of Directors; Goldens Bridge resident Charles Day, Vice-President of FBW’s Board of Directors; and Yorktown resident Jean Marie Connolly.

Event Gold Sponsors are Morgan Stanley, Greenfield Stein and Senior; Silver Sponsors are BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Diversified Investment Advisors, Rakow Commercial Realty Group, Stop&Shop Supermarkets, Kraft Foods and Pepsico. More sponsorships are available.

All proceeds generated at the event will benefit the Food Bank, the supply and support center for over 225 hunger-relief member programs throughout Westchester, including food pantries, soup kitchens, senior and day-care centers and residences. The Food Bank estimates that 200,000 Westchester County residents are hungry or at risk of hunger. Over half of them are seniors over age 55 and more than one-third are children under the age of 18.

“For every dollar donated to the Food Bank, we can purchase $4 worth of nutritious food to feed children, seniors and their families who are hungry,” said Food Bank Executive Director Christina Rohatynskyj. “The problem of hunger has gotten much worse in recent years. We had a 30% rise in requests for emergency food two years ago and another 15% rise last year. The funds raised at ‘Take Heart Against Hunger’ are crucial in helping fight hunger locally.”

Take Heart Against Hunger will feature a delectable five-course meal created especially for the event by Abigail Kirsch Catering Relationships’ Partner and Executive VP Alison Awerbuch and Executive Chef John d’Arcangelo. The superb wines served with the meal are generously donated by Pernod Ricard, USA.

The evening will also include a wine raffle and live auction.

For reservations, tickets and/or sponsorship information, contact Katy Coppinger at (914) 923-1100 or katy.coppinger@foodbankforwestchester.org. Tickets cost $300 or $3,000 for a Host Table of 10. Sponsorships are available.

The Food Bank for Westchester has recently relocated its administrative staff to 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523. The warehouse staff and functions remain at 358 Saw Mill River Road, Millwood, NY 10546 until Monday, January 23. For more information, visit the Food Bank website at www.foodbankforwestchester.org.

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ABOUT THE FOOD BANK FOR WESTCHESTER The Food Bank for Westchester is the only food bank in Westchester County and one of only eight food banks in New York State. It is the backbone of Westchester’s emergency food distribution system supplying 95% of all food given by frontline hunger-relief programs to hungry people. The Food Bank acquires, warehouses and distributes over 7 million pounds of food each year to over 225 local hunger-relief programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care and senior centers, more. The mission of the Food Bank for Westchester is to lead, engage and educate Westchester County in creating a hunger-free environment. For information, visit www.foodbankforwestchester.org or call 914-923-1100.