2024 Food For All
Two new events support WAGAP Food For All
AniChe Cellars introduces Paint & Sip and Italian Opera & Dinner Night
Underwood, WA (September 23, 2024) - AniChe Cellars has introduced a new twist to the annual fundraiser that supports the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Food Bank Network. This year, instead of one larger concert, the winery is holding two more intimate events on its grounds in Underwood, Washington.
On Saturday, October 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Joy’s Art Studio will guide participants as they paint a spooky-themed masterpiece to take home while enjoying a glass of wine and local fare. Each ticket holder will receive two raffle tickets and will have an opportunity to raise funds through a silent auction, wine wall, and raffle. Tickets are now available for $80.
Then, on Friday, November 22, guests will be serenaded by the Portland Opera with Italian Opera Arias while being served a five-course meal at a fantastic location. This Italian Opera and Dinner event will give dinner guests an opportunity to take home rare library wines and local art as they support the food banks of Skamania and Klickitat counties. Tickets are now available for $150.
The Paint & Sip has a capacity for 60 guests, and the Italian Opera and Dinner for 50. Both events are for those aged 21 and over; tickets can be purchased online. For the Paint & Sip, go to https://WAGAPpaintandsip.eventbrite.com, and for the Italian Opera and Dinner, go to https://WAGAPoperadinner.eventbrite.com
“It’s our pleasure to bring two creative fundraising opportunities to our community in support of the WAGAP food banks in Skamania and Klickitat counties,” said Anaïs Mera, winemaker and Family owner of AniChe Cellars. “I’m looking forward to seeing our community members showing up for our friends and neighbors going through tough times.
“These fundraising efforts are vital to our continued success,” said Janeal Booren, WAGAP’s Nutrition Programs Director. “We served over one million pounds of food in 2023 to more than 2,200 individuals. Over 900 households are supported for their basic needs from one of our four locations and through our Mobile Food Bank.”
In-person service is available at the food bank offices in Stevenson, Bingen, Goldendale, and Klickitat. The Mobile Food Bank operates the first four Thursdays of each month, traveling to a variety of rural locations, including Mill A, Trout Lake, Glenwood, BZ Corner, Lyle, Dallesport, Wishram, Bickleton, and Roosevelt. Booren also works with local organizations serving Indigenous and farm-working communities to offer direct support.
The list of food bank locations, hours of operation, and the Mobile Food Bank schedule can be found online at https://www.wagap.org/food-banks-nutrition. Community members are also welcome to donate non-perishable food and non-food items that are in demand. The website also lists the ten donations that are needed most often.
“We are so appreciative of AniChe Cellars for the years of fundraising efforts they have done in honor of Food For All,” Booren said. “Their passion and creativity help make these events enjoyable and bring attention to the ongoing food instability need in our two counties that individuals and families face every day.”
Donations to the WAGAP Food Bank Network and other programs can also be made directly at https://www.wagap.org/donate.