When I first saw the statement NO KID HUNGRY, I could have pictured it being said by a smiling pageant contestant in a similar fashion to wishing for world peace. After indoctrinating me into the information & data supplied by Share Our Strength, an organization focused on ending childhood hunger, I’ve now realized the goal is overwhelming.

Founded 25 years ago by a dynamic brother & sister duo, Share Our Strength reaches out to provide funding via grants, education and access to programs for those in need. After personally attending many galas & fundraising dinners for all kinds of charitable organizations I realized that I couldn’t gain the passion necessary to really help. Then along came Taste of the Nation.

With 17 Million children facing the insecurity of not knowing where their next meal may be, I finally felt the tug and the passion to help. Funding and finding basic needs for people should be easy but hearing that kids are hungry and that families make decision to pay the mortgage or groceries is frightening.

It also helped that I received a tap on my shoulder from a family friend, Brent Trotter, President & CEO at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. This tap was asking me to help chair the Taste event locally in Central Florida. It was certainly scary to take on the task of an event that was approaching it’s 21st year in existence while continuing to do my own job as a Private Banker with Regions Bank.

Our Central Florida has one of the longest running Taste events and continues to build alliances between our community partners, sponsors, patrons & the dedicated chefs with a common goal to raise money to help with the children in our own neighborhoods. This year’s event was another success due to the commitment from dedicated committee volunteers serving with me to orchestrate the event details, while mindful to the mission at hand to help the kids in need and risk of food insecurity.

We are also blessed to work with two amazing local beneficiaries: Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

The event has long been supported by Darden Restaurants through sponsorships, patrons, decor and fabulous food. Darden was joined this year by Orlando World Center Marriott who graciously hosted the event with an amazing display of hospitality. Other corporate sponsors included Disney, AirTran Airways, Regions Bank, Hilton Grand Vacations, Randy E. Schimmelpfennig, Jeanie C Linders Fund, AT&T, Orlando Regional Healthcare, Universal Nissan, KPMG, Massey Communications, BrightHouse Networks, Fields BMW/Minicooper and Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

The crowd of nearly 2,000 were entertained by a local band 3 Bucksworth, theatrics of 2nd Nature Productions and the culinary talents of Central Florida’s best and brightest chefs. As the amazing night closed out our committee could feel very proud of their efforts as the event in total raised $156,000 which will add to the $1.6 million raised over the previous 20 years to support the basic essentials in our community.

Due to economic climate resulting from the “great recession” the needs have increased and for the first time at Second Harvest those that had willingly given in prior years were applying for assistance. Our committee members were given a framed quote reminder to thank them for their help and support. The quote: Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something ~Author Unknown.

If you’ve got something to give to help end childhood hunger we need you on the committee for 2011!

Michele Byington, CFP®
Vice President
Regions Bank

Marty Vevera, the Coalition’s Director of Volunteer Services, showed us around the different facilities and told us more about who they serve and how they do it. We learned that the folks at the Coalition are not only providing a safe place to sleep at night for Central Florida’s homeless … but they also provide  job training, counseling, and learning skills for the little ones. Of course they are also supplying hot meals that either come from gracious volunteer groups, or straight from Second Harvest Food Bank’s distribution center!

After the great tour, Maria and I were put to work … if you could call it that. We had the pleasure of playing with the most adorable children at the Coalition’s Day Care. These children live at the Coalition while Mom or Dad are either busy learning new vocational skills, or working. Maria took the toddlers out to the playground and had a great time playing gas station attendant to all the kids in their play cars. While she was running around outside, I was hanging out with a beautiful 3 month old baby who was just born at the Coalition.

I couldn’t believe how many kids live at the Coalition. When you think about who is homeless, I definitely would not have pictured a sweet and innocent 3 month old baby girl. The average child at the Coalition is 6 years old. It is important to know that these children and their families receive help from the Coalition each and every day. I am proud and honored to say that Second Harvest Food Bank is able to provide food and other resources so the Coalition can spend money on other things like beds, diapers, and new toys for that awesome day care!

Maria and I also finished putting the last minute touches on their successful golf fundraiser and called it a day. Believe me … we were tired! But so happy that we were able to see the good work the Coalition is doing!

Want to know more ways you can help not only the Coalition, but all of our 600 partner agencies? Click here to learn more about ways to get involved.

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Talk to you soon!

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

We have 34 restaurants participating in Central Florida’s favorite foodie event this year. I bet some of your favorite Central Florida dining spots are on this list .

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event is put together by a volunteer committee group. I attend the meetings as a representative of Second Harvest Food Bank. Both beneficiaries, Coalition for the Homeless and Second Harvest Food Bank help out with the planning of the event. If you are attending, make sure to stop by our tables.

To enable you to fully enjoy the endless supply of wine, beer and delicious cocktails, Orlando World Center Marriott is generously offering Taste of the Nation guests a discounted rate for rooms on the night of June 5th! Click here to take advantage of this fabulous deal. The code will show up automatically on the page.

Everyone has worked so hard these past few months bringing this event together. I can’t give away everything that we have planned … but I can give you a sneak peak of what to expect. 

Here is a small food preview: 

      -  Chef-carved Rosemary and Dijon Crusted Roasted Pork Loin Served with a Wild Mushroom 
          and Sun-Dried Tomato Pearl Barley Risotto
      -  Chef Jean-Louis’ Bananas Foster
      -  Greek Tuna Tataki in Lettuce Gyros with Sumac, Onions and Avocado Tzatziki
      -  Roasted Beet Brownies with Gorgonzola, Spicy Cashews & Vanilla Honey

We also have some very unique auction items this year. Don’t forget to make your way around the silent auction. You never know what you will find!

      -  New York Yankees 27 World Championships ticket replicas
      -  Tickets to the Rachael Ray taping in New York plus plane ticket
      -  A  trip Chicago: flight, hotel, and dining included
      -  Chefs tables from Taste of the Nation participating Restaurants
      -  Many more!

100% of ticket sales help ensure no kid in America grows up hungry.

Hope to see you at Taste of the Nation Orlando! If you want to find me … look for the person twittering, facebooking and taking photos.

Click here to buy tickets!

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

Don’t forget to check-in. I will be leaving tips throughout the night!

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

All proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiary is Florida Impact.

Imagine yourself in a room full of food catered by some of your favorite restaurant chefs. Just in … five of the Taste chefs will have the great honor of cooking at the James Beard House in June!

• Jamie McFadden of Cuisiniers Catering
• Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant & Wine Bar
• James & Julie Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig
• Scott Copeland of Antonio’s Cafe & Deli. 

This is a small glimpse of some of the amazing talent that help put this event together. View a list of all participating restaurants.

So go ahead and make a big mark around Saturday, June 5 on your calendars. The 21st Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando will take place at the Orlando Marriott World Center on 8701 World Center Drive.

Last year was my first Taste of the Nation experience. It can be a bit overwhelming to see all the different tables of food and trying to decide on which auction item to bid on. Did you know that last year there were over 200 auction items?

Here are 5 tips to surviving Taste of the Nation Orlando

1) Get there early and beat the rush. 

2) Bring cash for raffle items. Last year we raffled of some pretty cool prizes and trips.

3) Take time to look through all the auction items. You will be surprised to find some very affordable hidden gems in there. Also, there are always very unique opportunities that you will only find at Taste of the Nation.     

4) Take a moment to stop by the beneficiaries displays. Learn more about what this whole event is really about!

5) Take advantage of the VIP package. You enjoy early admission, reserved seating, a champagne reception and a goody bag. That’s not bad for $50 more.  

If you are a Taste of the Nation Veteran, feel free to post any additional tips below!

See you at Taste of the Nation,

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

Our tables were busy for the entire day. I’m sure the cold and the rain helped encourage people to come inside for a few hours to learn about the public benefits they may qualify for. After seeing the impact this event has for the clients first hand, we will definitely continue to participate in Project Homeless Connect.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations and Programs

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We are proud and honored to be one of the beneficiaries of this amazing event.

Over 30 of Central Florida’s leading restaurants came out in full force. Not only did everything taste great, but it looked beautiful too. There was live music by local band Crash Reality, a silent auction, and even a chance to make your own music video! I know I had a great time, and I think it’s pretty safe to say that no one left that night without a full stomach and a smile on their face!

Over $145,000 was raised through ticket sales, raffles and the silent auction, which will go towards fighting childhood hunger. Proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiaries include Florida Impact and the North Florida Educational Development Corporation. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to the event. We are already thinking about next year when Taste of the Nation Orlando turns 21! Enjoy the pictures.

Taste of the Nation Review:
Taste of the Nation a big, tasty success from Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide