Taste of the Nation Raises $50,000 To Help End Childhood Hunger in Santa Barbara

More than 600 local residents braved the elements and dined on the finest cuisine and libations Santa Barbara has to offer at Share Our Strength’s 4th annual Taste of the Nation®. The event raised over $50,000 to fight childhood hunger locally and nationally.

The area’s top chefs and restaurants prepared food for over 600 attendees at the Montecito Country Club on Sunday, June 5th to benefit Share Our Strength®, the nation’s leading organization working to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. Normally held outdoors, the event was moved indoors to the historic ballroom which boasts panoramic views of the coastline due to inclement weather. Event organizers truly proved what it meant to be a team when they re-assembled the festivities within mere hours of guests arriving!

Attendees enjoyed masterful creations such as Scallop Ceviche, Truffle Infused Mac’n’Cheese, and Vietnamese Pork Sandwiches from the area’s top chefs, sipped the finest wine and spirits, and bid in live and silent auctions featuring a variety of fabulous packages and emceed by John Palminteri. The evening’s highlights included live music by the Margie Nelson Jazz Band, a cigar and cocktail bar, and on-site games.

“We are thrilled that this year’s Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara was such a success,” said Jessica Knight, Event Chair. “Every year, Taste of the Nation provides a meaningful way for the whole community to join the fight to end childhood hunger.”

With nearly 17 million children facing hunger in America (that’s almost one in four) and 32% of families having to choose between paying for food or rent in Santa Barbara County, funds raised at Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation are even more vital. Share Our Strength works to end childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.

Funds raised through Taste of the Nation events support No Kid Hungry™, Share Our Strength’s campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Local beneficiaries include Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara. One hundred percent of ticket sales supports Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.

Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara is nationally sponsored by American Express, Sysco, and Food Network, and local sponsors include Montecito Country Club, The Berry Man, Morgan Linens, Mentor, Impress Printing, Tent Merchant, Signature Parking, Venoco, Montecito Bank & Trust, American Riviera Bank, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara News-Press and KEYT.