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MONROE Union County has scheduled its first Taste of Union fundraiser, designed to feature local food and music – and benefit a longtime help agency.
Operation Reach Out, a 25-year-old nonprofit that helps the needy in many ways, has never held a major fundraiser. Several people who work with the organization thought it was time.
Their ideas evolved into the Taste of Union festival set for 5-9 p.m. Sept. 26 in historic downtown Monroe.
“It will be a fun time together with your friends to find out about Union County cuisine,” said Kathy Ipapo, president of the Operation Reach Out board of directors. “We hope to do it every year.”
So far, 20 Union County restaurants and caterers have signed on to provide samples of their menus at the event. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door and allow people to sample all the food.
A variety will be offered: Rossini's Italian Restaurant, Mexicali Rose, Stone Table, Farely's Pizza, Hathaway's Chicken and more.
Festival-goers also will be entertained with music from local groups, including a Union Symphony youth ensemble, piano player Jim O'Dell and The Norris Boys and Natural Grass, which features Union County Superior Court Judge David Lee.
The festival also will offer a silent auction and raffle. Items include beach getaways, a home-cooked meal by a chef and a $500 gift card for groceries.
Ipapo said all the items so far have been donated, so 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Operation Reach Out.
Operation Reach Out distributes food to needy people, operates two resale shops, provides free fans in the summer, helps with heating bills in winter and offers Bible study and free lunch daily.
