Making Room At The Table Spokane Food Bank Is Hosting A Delicious Fund-Raiser - A Gala Affair

There’s a major new grazing event on Spokane’s social calendar.

But it’s a party with a purpose.

Some two dozen area restaurants will provide the fare May 24 at “Taking a Bite Out of Hunger,” a fund-raiser for the Spokane Food Bank at the Davenport Hotel. “We think it’s a great fit,” said Al Brislain, the food bank’s executive director. “We feed people. Restaurants feed people. It’s a natural.”

Clinkerdagger, Salty’s By The Falls, The Otter, The Onion, Europa Pizzaria, Espresso Delizioso, Tony Roma’s and Linnie’s Thai Cuisine are among the eateries donating delectables.

“It’s going to be a mingling event where people will be standing around and talking and tasting this and tasting that and, we hope, having a good time,” said Brislain.

Call it a stylish all-you-can-eat, if you want. Informal attire.

If the event succeeds, it could evolve into an annual affair that would become the food bank’s chief fund-raising event. “I think our board’s idea is we’d like to do one event and do it right,” said Brislain.

Planning started last fall. Organizers hope to sell 400 tickets.

Coordinators expect to have some idea about the turnout by Wednesday. But tickets will be available through the night of the event, including at the door.

In addition to the food and drink (Hale’s Ale, Starbucks Coffee and wine from Vintners Wine Co.), ticket holders will be able to take part in both live and silent auctions, bidding on gifts ranging from an adventure cruise to lunch with U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt.

Other auction items include a round of golf for two with lunch at The Coeur d’Alene Resort and a gourmet picnic for 10.

And “For a good cause” will be more than a hollow cliche. “I think the name of the event says it all,” said Brislain. “It costs us a lot of money to support emergency food needs and other feeding activities in Spokane and raising money to do that is a constant challenge. So if this event is successful, it will help us provide those services. It’s as simple as that.”

The agency distributes food to charitable organizations throughout the Inland Northwest. According to its own statistics, almost half of the people receiving emergency sustenance each month are children.

Organizers said they tried to set ticket prices at a level roughly equivalent to a fine-dining experience.

“Our goal is for our middle-class supporters and others in the community to be able to have a good time,” said Brislain. “And I think this is going to be a blast.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TICKETS “Taking a Bite Out of Hunger” will be held Wednesday, May 24, 6-8:30 p.m. in The Davenport Hotel lobby, 807 W. Sprague Ave. Tickets are $30 per person/$50 per couple. For reservations, call (509) 534-6678