By Jacob Mathias

The annual Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser and local food showcase returns to Pfiffner Pioneer Park on August 12.

Taste of the Town is an annual fundraiser for BBBS, a non-profit organization which pairs adults with children aged 6-18 to provide positive relationships and impacts on young people.

The event will host 23 local food and beverage establishments who will showcase their wares. Beer and wine sampling begin at 4:30 PM; food service begins at 5 PM.

The organization currently serves about 300 children — with 70 more on a waiting list for volunteer big brothers and sisters. The funds raised at Taste of the Town enables BBBS to sustain the current one-to-one matches and reach out to even more children in need.

“It’s someone they can trust and talk to, other than their parent or guardian,” said Allie Dorshorst, community relations director.

The mentoring programs provide long-term impact in children’s lives including higher graduation rates, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Children with Big Brothers or Sisters are also less likely to skip school, use illegal drugs and skip school, she said.

“I really think it’s something that’s needed in our community,” said Dorshorst. “We have such a variety of kids that [sic] we serve.”

The evening concludes with a champagne toast and raffle: only 100 champagne raffles will be sold for $20 each.

Tickets are $40 in advance at www.bigimpact.org  or can be purchased at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office, Ski’s Meat Market and Lee Ayers Jewelers. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $50.

As their second biggest fundraiser, Taste of the Town made BBBS $25,000 last year or about 10 percent of their operating budget. Their largest fundraiser is Bowl For Kids’ Sake held in February.

Dorshorst said the local community makes the event a huge success every year.

“We get so many donations for prizes and silent auction items,” said Dorshorst.

New food vendors this year include Galaxy Comics, Octaviano’s, Starbucks, Kochie’s Cookies, Mission Coffee House, and Old 10 Bistro.

A silent auction and champagne raffle with prizes from Lee Ayers Jewelers, Furniture and ApplianceMart, Sentry World, Holiday Inn, the Green Bay Packers and more will also be available to attendees.

Live music will be provided by the Northwoods Men.

A Bottle Toss game is also new this year. Players can pay $20 for two rings to toss and win bottles of wine, beer or liquor. Each bottle toss entry is also entered in a drawing to win a Thomas Dailing Designs pendant or a $2000 gift certificate for original Thomas Dailing Designs jewelry.

Pfiffner Pioneer Park is located at 1100 Crosby Ave. in Stevens Point. More information on BBBS can be found at www.bigimpact.org.

2017 Taste of the Town Vendors

Amber Grill
Buffalo Wild Wings
Galaxy Comics
Grazies Italian Grill
Kristin’s Riverwalk Food & Spirits
Kochies Cookies
McCain Foods USA
Mission Coffee House
Noodles & Company
Perkins
PJs at Sentry World
Polito’s Pizza
Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
Rock n Roll Café
Shaw’s Jamaican Kitchen
Ski’s Meat Market
Stevens Point Country Club
Starbucks
The Cake Lady
The Coffee Studio
The Cottage Café
Old 10 Bistro
Octaviano’s Dine-In
Stevens Point Brewery
The Bottle Stop