Who doesn’t enjoy a good soiree? Certainly not the residents of northwest Indiana! Hundreds of people from around the region gathered at the Gary Aquatorium for a special soiree this sunny Sunday afternoon. But this was no regular event – this was a party to support the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s mission to help fight hunger in our area.
Originally conceived in 1981, when two local representatives of the local United Way and area steel workers attended a conference in Indianapolis, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana was officially formed a year later, and has since been serving the area by providing meals for tens of thousands of children and adults throughout Northwest Indiana.
With a little help from generous sponsors such as BMO Harris Bank, Majestic Star Casino and Hotel, Fagen Pharmacy, Strack and Van Til and others, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana enlisted the help of dozens of local artists, breweries, wineries and restaurants, pulling all their collective talents together for one delicious afternoon of sun and fun on the southern shores of Lake Michigan.
As visitors strolled past irresistible displays of some of the best cuisine the area has to offer, they were entertained by the sounds of the Calumet Ridge Jazz Ensemble, who provided musical entertainment for the hundreds of people who attended the soiree. Several raffles were even presented, with gifts ranging from a barrel of wine, to a champagne cruise, mystery grab bags and even a few beach cruiser bikes – fitting, considering the event location! A silent auction offered sports tickets and memorabilia, wine tastings, golf outings and other unique items from around the region.
“This is one of our annual events that we have as a way to get people to think about hunger, to think about the food bank and to help us raise the funds we need to continue to help those in need,” said Arleen Peterson, Executive Director of Foodbank of Northwest Indiana. “We appreciate all those who have helped us over the years. We are looking to expand and are looking into a new location which will allow us to better serve those in need.”
Peterson says that they hope to raise $20,000 from the Soiree, to help fund their efforts to feed the hungry.
Rabbi Len Zukrow, board member of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, is very proud of his fellow board members.
“We have a very diverse board,” said Rabbi Zukrow. “One of the things I admire about them is the depth of talent we have: bankers, food industry workers, development… a wonderful mix of smart people who are deeply invested in the work that we do.”
Also present at the Soiree were proud sponsors Jerry and Vivian Fagen, along with their daughter, Melissa.
“My family is from the area,” said Melissa Fagen, daughter of Jerry Fagen, owner of Fagen Pharmacy, one of the event’s Silver Sponsors. “My dad was mentored here. This is our home. We’re very involved in Northwest Indiana, and we really appreciate this opportunity to be able to be here, to be able to help out with this organization.”
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Tammy Pham, owner and chef at Asparagus Restaurant in Merrillville was very happy to be one of the vendors to offer samples of their cuisine at the afternoon’s event, and heartily recommends the pork shank.
“It’s to die for!” said Pham.
Gabriel Monroy, Senior Engineer working in Plant Reliability at ArcelorMittal was enjoying his visit to the Aquatorium.
“My friends and colleagues in our network of friends and co-workers heard of this event, and we all thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to have some fun, to take our wives out for the afternoon, spend time with good people, try some great food and all while helping a terrific cause at the same time," said Monroy.
If you missed the soiree, but would still like to help feed the hungry in Northwest Indiana through donations or by volunteering, you can contact the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana at https://foodbanknwi.org/