After last year’s pandemic-forced cancelation, Centre County United Way’s Taste of the Town event is back, Sunday, Nov. 21, at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center.
For the uninitiated, this signature fundraising event brings together restaurants from around the county to offer their best-known dishes in a buffet-style setting, giving attendees a chance to enjoy all their favorites (and possibly discover some new ones) from around the region, in one place.
“Taste of the Town is a great way to usher in the holiday season,” Leanne Lenz, Centre County United Way’s executive director, says. “Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with friends and colleagues, learn more about local restaurants and enjoy a wide variety of tasty dishes and libations. Guests will [also] have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items, as well as some exciting and outrageous offerings through our live auction.”
The fundraiser is particularly timely for the organization. Centre County United Way works with an array of partner agencies around the country, to support education, financial stability and health initiatives — all areas where Lenz says she’s seen an increase in need over the pandemic. Currently, 17% of Centre County families are considered living in poverty, while 28% of families fall into United Way’s ALICE category, or Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed.
“When a crisis such as a job loss or illness occurs in an ALICE family, who is living paycheck to paycheck, support from the United Way and our partnering programs is essential,” Lenz explains. “Naturally, the pandemic has been incredibly hard on these families. We’ve seen a significant increase in need for basic necessities such as food, shelter and heat. Housing insecurity has increased, and many are struggling with new or intensifying physical and mental health issues.
“Folks who have never been in a position where they needed to ask for help before are looking to the United Way and our funded programs for assistance. Costs of providing programs have increased due to necessary COVID precautions and PPE.”
Cancelations of signature fundraising events like 2020’s Taste of the Town event have further exacerbated the organization’s overall need for funding.
“While we certainly have some incredibly generous donors who gave even more through pandemic times, we’ve also had many typical supporters who simply don’t have the disposable income that they used to,” Lenz says. ”United Way has canceled several key fundraising events, some for two years in a row, so our overall campaign total is down. This is part of why we are so grateful and excited about Taste of the Town!”
Taste of the Town is slated as United Way’s largest fundraiser for 2021. Tickets are $75 per person or $650 for a table of 10. Funds raised will go directly to assisting those United Way partner organizations that help to support Centre County individuals and families with needed food, utilities, shelter, counseling, child care, medical care and more.
This year’s list of participating restaurants include both long-standing Centre County favorites and newer eateries. Expect to see Big Spring Spirits, Brown Dog Catering, Cafe Lemont, Carter’s Table, Centre Care, Clem’s, Cozy Thai, Edible Arrangements, Pasta Ravioli, Gemelli Bakery, Gigi’s Southern Table, Grace, Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery, Hublersburg Inn, Juniper, Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery, Philly Pretzel Factory, RE Farm Cafe at Windswept, State Burger Co., The Field Burger & Tap, The Gardens Restaurant & Legends Pub, The Mt. Nittany Overlook by Harrison’s, The Tavern Restaurant, The Village at Penn State, Valley Girl Sweets Co. and Webster’s Book Store Cafe.
Lenz offers a few final tips for attendees: “A lot of people ask us what to wear. Anything from business casual to cocktail attire will do. If you’re looking for a chance to be fancy, feel free to go all out. If you’d rather go for comfort, business casual is more than acceptable. We will follow the masking guidelines set forth by the Penn Stater. Masks are required unless eating or drinking. The United Way highly encourages all attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Registration for the event closes on Tuesday, Nov. 16, or once tickets sell out. Tickets are available at www.ccunitedway.org/taste-town.
