Categories: EventsFeatures

“Home Grown” Fills Cornucopia at Oregon Food Bank and breaks fundraising record

Karla Wenzel, chair of the Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, checks out silent auction with Rachel Bristol, CEO, Oregon Food Bank.

Portland, October 15th. More than 400 guests donned blue jeans and bling for “Home Grown,” the annual gala to raise funds to support Oregon Food Bank’s mission: to eliminate hunger and its root causes. (Photo credit, Sarah Galbraith Photography.) Oregon Food Bank transformed its warehouse in northeast Portland into a lively farmer’s market, complete with food carts (Tastebud, Oregon Ice Works, New Seasons Market and Provvista), the Burnside Bridge, and an orchard. The event raised $536,000.

Guests Larry and Pat Strausburgh (foreground) and Chuck Williams and Cheryl Scarcelli both of Providence Health & Services (background) dance to the lively music of Triple Threat at Oregon Food Bank’s gala

The gala included dinner prepared with local ingredients by Michael Stanton, executive chef of The Heathman Restaurant and Bar; salad by David Anderson, executive chef, Genoa; and desserts by New Seasons Market.

Gary Bauer, director of government and community affairs, NW Natural, raises paddle during Special Appeal, led by auctioneer Johnna Wells, at “Home Grown,” Oregon Food Bank’s annual gala. The event raised an estimated $500,000. Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund provided a Special Appeal match to encourage donations.

Event Co-Chair Lisa Sedlar, the 5’1” CEO of New Seasons Market,” shoots hoops with special guest former Portland Trail Blazer Terry Porter to raise funds to support Oregon Food Bank’s mission at “Home Grown"

Gala co-chairs Lisa Sedlar, CEO of New Seasons Market (left), and Syd Hannigan, retired Safeway executive (right), pose for the paparazzi with Portland Mayor Sam Adams at “Home Grown,

Gala emcee, Sheila Hamilton of 101.9 KINK.fm, chats with Karla Wenzel, chair of the Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, at “Home Grown,” Oregon Food Bank’s annual gala fundraiser

Philip Kalberer, president, Kalberer Co., and former chair of Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, stands in front of the Burnside Bridge cutout with Lisa Sedlar, gala co-chair, and CEO, New Seasons Market, along with guest Joyce Larson.

Home Grown!

Caption: Karla Wenzel, chair of Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors, (center) congratulates co-chairs Lisa Sedlar, CEO, New Seasons Market, (left) and Syd Hannigan, retired Safeway executive, at Oregon Food Bank’s annual gala

Major sponsors included New Seasons Market and Schnitzer Steel; lead sponsors Tillamook County Creamery Association, Nike, NW Natural and Walsh Construction. Other sponsors included: David Mayne and Very Sirius Productions; and Alpha Broadcasting.

Since 1982, Oregon Food Bank has been leading the fight against hunger in Oregon and southwest Washington by collecting and distributing food through a network of four OFB branches and 16 independent regional food banks.

The OFB Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger. OFB also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, and helping communities strengthen local food systems.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.