“Thank you on Bob’s behalf,” said Arlette. “This was my late husband’s favorite charity – he appreciated the fact that Food For The Poor is a good steward with donations, and that more than 96 percent of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor.”
Park responded by saying, “This memorable evening with friends reminds us of our many blessings and inspires us to help the underprivileged in the Caribbean and Latin America who are in desperate need of assistance.
The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala opened with a superb wine tasting reception of selected wines sponsored by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. and Republic National Distributing Company. Unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to such places as Hong Kong were among the varied prizes in the silent and live auctions. The evening culminated with a four-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing.
Louis Jadot Moulin-a-Vent Gamay 2012, a Burgundy from France, was selected to complement the first course of English Pea Risotto with Parmesan and Blistered Tomatoes. The second course of Duck Confit Crepes with Rum Raisin Syrup was served with Torres Vina Esmeralda Moscatel 2011 from Penedes, Spain. Ratti Barbera d’Alba from Italy was served with the Veal Chop stuffed with Apple and Brie entrée. Fonseca Porto Bin 27 from Portugal complemented the trio of cheeses with sweet jams, honey and fruit.
Additional committee members include Mary Frances Turner (Ladies’ Committee Chair), Russell Sherrill (Gentlemen’s Committee Chair), Michael Dixon, Henry and Mary Virginia Fong, Emilio Guerra, and Brownie McLean.
Jenna Wolfe, co-anchor of NBC Weekend TODAY, served as master of ceremonies for Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala.
Wolfe’s participation is especially meaningful because she was born in Kingston, Jamaica and has seen the country’s poverty firsthand. The proceeds from the gala will fund the expansion and renovation of the Bluefields Health Centre. On a daily basis, the staff of the health care facility struggles to provide basic medical care to their patients, including pregnant mothers and sick children.
The Palm Beach community has worked to transform Gordon’s Village in Bluefields, Jamaica, since 2007 by establishing a self-sustaining fishing village and development projects in the community. The project, named in honor of Robert G. Gordon, replaced dilapidated shacks with more than 125 safe, permanent houses, constructed a school for 80 children, built a fish processing facility and provided residents with access to water and sanitation.
In addition to Food For The Poor’s international mission, the organization also supports nonprofits that serve South Florida’s neediest.
Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
