FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2019 SERVING UP HOPE LUNCHEON AT
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Denver, CO: On Thursday, November 14, 2019, thirteen Colorado hospitality organizations joined forces for the 26th Annual Serving Up Hope Luncheon and raised $30,000+ for Food Bank of the Rockies’ Denver’s Table program. A total of 789 industry professionals from around the state were registered.
Serving Up Hope is sponsored by the Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado (www.mic-colorado.org). MIC is a coalition of professional meetings industry-related organizations. Incorporated in 2000, MIC is a partnership between 13 national and local member organizations either founded in Colorado or within state chapters. Its underlying purpose is to enhance collaboration among participating organizations through networking and education, while being the main source for industry knowledge and consultation as well as foster the continued growth of the meetings and event industry in Colorado.
Chefs from local hotels and restaurants provided mouthwatering appetizers, exquisite entrées and delectable desserts. Judges included Paul Fischer, Food Bank of the Rockies Chef, Steve Kinsley, Kinsley Meetings, Todd Seymour, MIC Immediate Past Chair and GM of the Wellshire Event Center & Golf Club and Charlie Adams, Former Broncos Wide Receiver. The judges awarded prizes in three categories (Appetizer/Salad, Entrée, and Dessert) to the best entries among the (18) food stations. Culinary awards were given to Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden at Origin Hotel Red Rocks for Best Appetizer with their Shrimp Aguachile ; the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (Fifty 300) for Best Entrée with their Scallops; Monarch Casino for Best Dessert with their Guava Trifle; and The People’s Choice award as voted on by the attendees went to the 2016, 2018 and 2019 award winner, Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (Fifty 300) for Scallops. Winners received an award tile with artwork designed by eight-year-old Katherine Chavez. Katherine is a member of the Food Bank Aurora Community Connection. Event Chair Aimee Palifroni, Prisma Events, Event Vice Chair Cody Galloway, Collaborative Events and Jenn Wade, MIC Chair, presented awards to all recipients, along with a check for $30,000 to Food Bank of the Rockies President and CEO, Erin Pulling.
The special Serving Up Hope committee is a group of dedicated and compassionate individuals from the hospitality industry who work together to create a wonderful event with delicious food and fun for a great cause. Nearly everything is donated and 100% of the proceeds benefit Food Bank of the Rockies and its Denver’s Table program.
An additional element of the Serving Up Hope event is the annual food drive competition between the thirteen MIC organizations. This year, over 14,692 meals were donated day-of by attendees, in addition to the $30,000 raised by the luncheon, contributing to an overall total of 138,000 meals. Awards for the most food donated per member were given to two organizations – Christian Meetings & Conventions Association (CMCA) for the organization with less than 125 members and Colorado Society of Association Executives (CSAE) for the organization with more than 125 members.
Since 1978, FBR has provided more than 567 million meals for people in need. Last year, through our direct service programs and partner agencies, we distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food, enough to provide more than 131,000 meals each day to children, seniors and families in need. FBR is a member of Feeding America.
For more information about Serving Up Hope or MIC, please contact Sydney Rhea, Director at Large, Communications at dir_communications@mic-colorado.org.
#SUH2019
@miccolorado
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See photos of the event here. Courtesy of All Digital Photo & Video
