Food Bank’s Sip & Savour boosted by generosity

October 20, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
The stars really came out last week during the second annual gala in support of the King Township Food Bank.
Sip & Savour, held at Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, drew record numbers and record donations in support of a very worthy local cause.
Bolstered by some fancy auctioneering by both MC Art Hindle and auctioneer Dave Beasley, they doubled up on some valuable items.
The highlight of the evening was the very generous donation by King residents Richard and Sandra Gladden. They presented Food Bank president Carol Ann Trabert with a cheque for $10,000!
King Mayor Steve Pellegrini drew the Gladdens’ attention to the local food bank. They also support the Newmarket food bank and the Blue Door shelter.
“It’s the reliable generosity of people like the Gladdens and our web and event sponsors who make KTFB a sustainable organization, until someone finds a way to make food banks redundant,” Trabert said.
With the totals for the gala still coming in, it was a $45,000-plus night for the Food Bank (Sip & Savour raised a whopping $35,000 on its own). That’s a tremendous show of support from the community.
Gemini Award-winning actor Hindle offered up a unique prize for the auction. He offered a studio tour and behind-the-scenes glimpse of the new CBC drama “Shoot the Messenger.” When bidding on one package ended, Hindle offered the second bidder the same package, which she accepted. That raised almost $4,000.
King’s “Diva in the Rough” siren Catherine Hughes performed during the evening. She also offered a personal, in-home concert and dinner for eight as a live auction item. Again, as bidders competed for this coveted opportunity, Beasley and Hindle offered a second prize to the second-highest bidder, which was accepted.
“My special thanks go to Art Hindle and Catherine Hughes for doubling their donation to the live auction, thereby doubling the benefit to the Food Bank,” Trabert added.
Other auction items included a private box at a Toronto Raptors’ game, donated by Priestly Demolition, and a beautiful granite bench, donated by Allstone Quarry Products of Schomberg.
The silent auction included many interesting and valuable items, including work donated by local artists. The silent auction raised roughly $5,000.
Food and Hollywood were the central themes of the gala, and many came dressed to the 9s for a special night out. From the popular sushi station manned by King’s Paper Crane, to freshly chucked oysters, guests enjoyed some special treats. Also popular were the pulled pork sliders and massive cheese and antipasto tables. Mike Yordanou and his staff at Nobleton Lakes outdid themselves again this year.
Event co-ordinator Margaret Hastings praised Scotiabank for selling tickets and matching the money raised.
“Scotiabank is proud to make a difference in the community we call home, King Township,” said branch manager Natalie Latchman-Greaves. “Our enthusiastic team members worked actively to sell 158 tickets between Nobleton, and King City Branches. As a result of these efforts Scotiabank will be able to match $5,000 in funds raised through our Scotiabank Team Community Program to further support the King Food Bank.”
“The Food Bank wants to thank Margaret Hastings for her extraordinary leadership and vision regarding Sip & Savour. It was her concept from the word go, and she has executed two amazing events, the second being even more successful than the first. Her joining the board was a blessing even greater than we knew at the time,” Trabert said.
“I am so grateful to our incredible sponsors for making this event possible. Their sponsorships cover all of the costs of Sip & Savour, so that every single dollar from ticket sales and the live and silent auctions goes straight to the families that we help,” Hastings said.
“So many of our sponsors also gave of their time and energy to make this event successful. Scotiabank sold an incredible 158 tickets in their branches, and matched $5,000 of ticket sales with a donation. John’s No Frills provided the produce, and Schomberg Foodland supplied all the deli meats. BMO supplied staff and machines for a secure checkout after the auction.
“I particularly want to thank our venue sponsor, Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, for their beautiful facilities, their wonderful staff and service, and for transforming the groceries we dropped off into such incredible delicacies.
“It was wonderful to see so many people from our community come out and support the Food Bank. We are so grateful for everyone’s support.”