It was so well received a year ago, Samaritan Outreach Services Director Wade Hamilton said, that the organization decided to hold its “Black and White, a Vintage Hollywood Event”, again this year.
The event serves as a fundraiser for Samaritan Outreach, which currently serves around 900 families, or 2,500 local individuals, each month.
Hamilton said that if you look it at strictly on a cash basis, it takes about $75,000 annually to operate the charity food pantry located at 537 N. East St. in Hillsboro. But he said that in the past year Samaritan Outreach started weighing every donated piece of produce it receives from a numerous places. He said the government places a value of $2.33 per pound on that donated produce, so if you add the value of the produce it delivers to the community with cost it takes to operates the organization, it comes to about $600,000.
“That’s a big difference. It kind of shows you the scope of our organization,” Hamilton said.
The Black and White event will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Hillsboro Elks Ballroom. It starts with a social hour at 6 p.m. with live music by local pianist Susan Long, then at 7 p.m. there will be a catered dinner of a choice of roast pork loin or garlic parmesan crusted chicken breast, both served with buttered parsley red skin potatoes, green beans, mixed greens salad and your choice of dessert. At 8 p.m. there will be live entertainment from Cincinnati’s 18-piece orchestra The Monday Night Big Band, and dancing.
The evening will also include door prizes, commemorative photos from Photography by M.E., a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction benefiting many Hillsboro non-profits, and an Old Hollywood photo booth.
About 10 local organizations, including the Highland County Senior Citizens Center, Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center, and Highland County Humane Society, are putting together gift baskets or other items for the silent auction.
“When that item sells the check will go straight to that organization,” Hamilton said. “We thought it would be a good idea and fun to open the silent auction to some other non-profits. We’re making money, so why not let some of the other non-profits in the area make some, too.”
Tickets for the evening are $35 apiece and can be purchased by calling 937-393-2220, visiting www.ourpantry.org or by stopping by Samaritan Outreach.
Semi-formal or black and white attire is strongly suggested.
Samaritan, formed in 1989 by the Rev. John and Jean Carson, operates as a charity food pantry in the Highland County area funded primarily by community grants and private donations. Eligibility for services falls within the guidelines of federal income levels.
Hamilton stressed that the Black and White event is open to anybody.
“It’s not just a fundraiser for Samaritan Outreach. It’s just as much a community celebration,” Hamilton said. “It’s a rare local opportunity to get dressed up and have a good time, enjoy a delicious dinner, spend an evening on the dance floor, and raise some money for Samaritan Outreach.”
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
