Great Escape: Soul Food Fundraiser Set for Saturday

Feed the hungry, feed the soul.

That’s part of the idea behind the second-annual Soul Food event Saturday night in Lakewood.

The other part of the plan is to have lots of fun.

The second-annual fundraising event, "Soul Food: Feed the Hungry, Feed the Soul," is slated to take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the community room at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The cost is only five bucks, but that covers quite a bit.

Included will be appetizers, wine, raffle prizes — including an I-Pad and two iPods — and a live auction of food-themed artwork from local and regional artists, including Kris Williams and Sally Hudak. 

And what would a “soul” themed party be without some soulful entertainment? A soul-music dance-party will be provided by “local musician extraordinaire,” XeLa.   

At 8 p.m., the music will stop (momentarily) while Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers addresses the guests.

The event — presented by the — got its start last year to raise money to buy supplies for the Cleveland Food Bank. In its first year, the fundraiser took place at the Local Girl Gallery.

Event co-founder Jason Weiner said he and the rest of the volunteers had no idea how popular the event was going to become.

“It was a small space and we had it packed,” he said, adding that last year’s event raised $3,600. Organizers are hoping to raise even more this year.

“We’re anticipating a larger crowd,” Weiner added. “We knew right away that it was going to be a success.”

The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the four hot meals TLCO hosts, provide funds for the organization’s produce distribution and help to pay for the community gardens.

Founded in 2010, TLCO is the nonprofit community outreach arm of Trinity Lutheran Church with a mission to engage neighbors, create resources and connect individuals in support of a healthier community. 

The non-profit organization focuses on hunger relief and holistic health promotion.

Last year alone, TLCO served 3,691 hot meals, distributed 84,000 pounds of free, fresh produce and reached 200 individuals through wellness education efforts.   

More than 200 volunteers pitched in to help the organization last year. Not only are the hot meals run by volunteers, but the Saturday’s event is completely put on by a volunteers.

It’s the volunteers and donors, Weiner said, who really make the whole operation work.

“I think Lakewood is filled with people who are thrilled with where they live,” he said. “I think that we are all invested in our community. There are people available here to support their community in a meaningful way, who actually get out there and work face to face and provide a service to people in need.”

For more information on volunteering or supporting TLCO, please contact thirdsat@gmail.com.