One of the Arnold Food Pantry’s most profitable fundraisers is returning after a four-year absence.
The pantry will once again hold the Taste of Arnold, which will be held 5-8 p.m. today, Nov. 9, at the Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Road.
Advance tickets for the event cost $20 for adults and $10 for children 14 and younger. Tickets at the door will cost $25 for adults and $10 for children.
Executive Director Ed Fitzhenry said proceeds from the event will go toward buying a new van for the pantry.
“We need at least $35,000 (to replace one of the pantry’s three vans),” he said. “The van we want to replace is 11 years old and has more than 140,000 miles on it. Its need for maintenance is becoming more frequent.”
Fitzhenry said the pantry has not held a Taste of Arnold event since 2019.
“(The Taste of Arnold) has been one of our major fundraisers in the past,” Fitzhenry said. “It is a fun time. People from all over the area come, and it has been well attended. We expect 300 people.”
Fitzhenry said at least 17 restaurants from the area are expected to participate in the event, offering samples of food and other products. Attendees will receive 12 tickets they may turn in to the various restaurants for a sample of what they are serving at the event.
Food will be served from 5-7 p.m.
“They will get to taste a number of offerings from our local restaurants and eateries,” Fitzhenry said. “We want to make sure everyone gets a dinner-plus.”
The event also will include raffles for baskets and a drawing for a 50-inch TV.
Fitzhenry said the pantry uses its vans to pick up food to distribute at its facility at 2024 Key West Drive.
“Our number (of clients who received food) always fluctuates, but since June, our numbers have gone up by at least 15 percent,” he said. “We attribute that to the economy, food cost inflation mostly.”
Tickets for the Taste of Arnold may be purchased through the pantry’s website, wefeedthehungry.org, or at the pantry’s Treasure Shoppe, a thrift store next door to the pantry.
For more information, call 636-287-3663 or email arnoldfoodpantry@wefeedthehungry.net.