A Night at Market at the Food Bank

Last night, "R" and I attended the annual Market at the Food Bank event to benefit the Harvest for Hunger Campaign for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

The event features area restaurants, catering companies, beverage distributors, and more for a night of sampling and giving. Guests wandered through the Food Bank's volunteer sorting area, the loading dock, agency pick-up area, and the impressive warehouse shelves. Since bringing the annual fundraiser to their actual facility three years ago, the organization does a great job of reminding us why we were there.

You can get a glimpse of how the facility operates, you're surrounded by resources headed out into the community, and they find ways to illustrate their work and the impact that donations have in Greater Cleveland. As a former employee, and event planner for this particular event, it's great to see it take place at the Food Bank and to see how the event continues to grow each year.

We sampled a lot of food last night, but some of the highlights for me were the Rabbit Pie from Edwin's Restaurant (available on their menu, and so delicious!), Chicken Paprikash from Muldoon's Saloon and Eatery, buckwheat crisps from Spice Kitchen + Bar, the Ropa Vieja from University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, and the watermelon salad from Anna in the Raw.

The event seemed to be a little heavy on the desserts this year. My sweet-toothed boyfriend wasn't complaining at first, but then even he started to turn down dessert stations. I didn't sample many, but I did grab a Chocolate Salty Caramel Cupcake from Little Devil Cupcakery (okay, okay, I went back for a second, I confess), and the Warm Apple Berry Crisp from Lucky's Cafe looked heavenly. "R" also indulged in two samples of Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream. Looks like we need to make a stop at their newly opened West 25th Street location!

The event raised critical funds for the Food Bank, and their mission is so easy to get behind. One in six people in our area struggle with hunger. I do what I can throughout the year to continue to support this organization. They have great events like this one, volunteer opportunities, a Young Professionals group, and so much more. If you are not currently engaged in the work of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, I urge you to look into it. For every $1 donated to this organization, they can provide four meals in a local hunger center. The money that is raised here, stays here.

Disclosure: I was provided with two General Admission tickets to Market at the Food Bank in exchange for posts. All opinions stated are 100% my own. I personally support this organization, and believe in their work. I am a former employee, and former YP Pantry Council member.