Thanks for Giving Dessert Auction back after pandemic hiatus

Attendees at the Thanks for Giving Dessert Auction can satisfy their sweet tooth while supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties (SHFB).

The fundraiser will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Mother Stewart's Brewing Company.

"With this fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank, 100 percent of the proceeds stay within the community to support our food-insecure neighbors through our programs," says Audrey Vanzant, development manager for the food bank. "This is a fun event leading up to Thanksgiving Day to gather, support a good cause, and grab a tasty dessert for your holiday table."

The fundraiser is free to attend, and while at Mother Stewart's, guest can also support the food bank at the bar. During the event, $1 of every beer purchase will be donated to SHFB.

"Grab a beer, grad a seat, and enjoy the live auction, put on by local auctioneer Curt Mumma (of Mumma Realty & Auctioneers)," Vanzant says.

Mumma will auction off each dessert live, with the highest bidder for each item winning the dessert to take home and enjoy.

"We encourage everyone to bring their family and friends," Vanzant says. "We will have Second Harvest Food Bank coloring pages for the kids, and they might find it fun to hold the paddle up for their parents on a bid for a delicious Death by Chocolate cake - just what every kid wants!"

Vanzant says the goal is to raise $15,000 with the Thanks for Giving fundraiser.

Desserts for the event have been donated by businesses, organizations and individuals from across the community, inclduing Bone-a-fido Bakery, Cosmic Charlie Bread Adventure, Flying Pepper Cantina and more.

As the only food bank in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties, Second Harvest distributes more than 8 million pounds of food annually, with more than 4 million pounds going to families in need in Clark County, Vanzant says. 

In 2021, the food bank distrubuted about 6.5 million pounds of food for more than 39 non-profit member agencies in Clark County and more than 20 non-profit agencies in Champaign and Logan counties, she added. Those agencies were able to serve more than 6 million meals to hungry families.

"The coronavirus pandemic has shaken our communitieis in a way we have never seen, resulting in more people utilizing our services here at Second Harvest Food Banks," Vanzant says. "Even two years later, our numbers continue to be highter than normal and are likely to remain high with inflation and this 'new normal.'"

To learn more about the event, visit the Thanks for Giving Dessert Auction event page on Facebook. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank and to donate directly, visit www.theshfb.org.