INDIANAPOLIS — Westminster Neighborhood Services, Inc., a nonprofit that serves at-risk children and families on Indianapolis’ Near Eastside, will host its first Food Fight culinary fundraiser with help from Drink & Dish Local and Angry Ape Creative. The event, featuring local culinary instructors and their students competing against each other for culinary stardom, will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Westminster’s Family & Adult Services Center, 2325 E. New York St.
The Food Fight will also include a DJ and food. Attendees will be served a meal prepared by the contestants and have the opportunity to vote with donations for their favorite chefs. During the competition, there will be tasty appetizers provided by area restaurants. The competitors are from Arsenal Technical High School, Area 31 Career Center, J Everett Light Career Center and Second Helpings.
Tickets are $12 each and may be ordered online at www.the-food-fight.org. Table sponsorships are also available, and additional donations of money, silent auction items and food would be appreciated. To donate, contact Nicole Mayes at 317-449-0951 or nicole.mayes@westmin.org. Current sponsors already include Harry and Izzy’s, Hoosier Popcorn Company, Lincoln Square Pancake House, Piazza Produce, Second Helpings and Shoefly Public House.
Westminster’s goal is to raise $10,000 to support its mission of helping struggling Near Eastside neighbors to overcome barriers and find pathways out of poverty. In WNS’ service area, nearly a fourth of families live with annual income less than $10,000. In 2015 Westminster opened its standalone Family & Adult Services Center. In just over a year, WNS’ food pantry had a 47 percent increase in the number of clients served.
Services in Westminster’s new facility include a food pantry, clothing closet, soup kitchen, opportunity resource center, adult education, basic health care in partnership with Gennesaret Free Clinics and counseling services provided by Families First. Current pantry hours are 3-6 p.m. Mondays and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays.
Westminster also operates its Children & Youth Education Center at 445 N. State Ave., which provides afterschool and summer programming for children ages 6 to 14 in a safe, nurturing environment. Part of Westminster’s service area touches one of the City of Indianapolis’ public safety focus areas. East New York Street and North Sherman Drive has a 215 percent higher criminal homicide rate than the rest of Indianapolis.
To learn more about Westminster Neighborhood Services, Inc., visit www.westmin.org.