Restaurants, DuPage PADS raise funds together
In the last months of 2008, DuPage Public Action to Deliver Shelter saw a sharp increase in the number of people needing help.
Most of those were families affected by a decline or loss of income.
The organization that fights homelessness is hoping its annual "A Taste of Hope" fundraiser on Thursday, March 5, will help support the families in DuPage that need help most.
"This is a tough economy for everybody," said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS. "We're providing those basic needs: food, shelter, support."
More than 20 restaurants are donating staff time and food for Thursday's event.
"We're just amazed at the generosity of restaurants," said Kathleen Johnson, director of development for DuPage PADS.
Amaury Rosado, whose Aurora restaurant Chef Amaury is participating for the first time this year, said he's seen all the reports of homelessness and wanted to support PADS.
"I think it's important for us to all get together as a community and support this cause," he said. "Anybody can be unemployed and homeless and I'm really concerned about it."
Rosado will serve a specialty of blue cheese ice cream - frozen to 30 to 50 degrees below zero - with wild boar bacon, spiced walnuts and poached pears.
"I'm excited about this event," he said. "I think that when you do things positively for people, good things will happen for you as well."
Patrick McLaughlin, chef of Parker's Ocean Grill in Downers Grove, said he tries to participate in community events throughout the year. With some financial struggles, everybody has had to cut back on their donations, he said.
But McLaughlin said he especially wanted to go to the "A Taste of Hope" event, which he was a part of last year.
"What a nice bunch of people if you're going to donate your time to do something," he said. "There's only two reasons to do these things: for the cause and for the camaraderie."
McLaughlin plans to serve some specials from the restaurant as well as haddock Wellington.
"For DuPage County to be so rich and for us to even have this situation means we've got a lot of work to do," McLaughlin said.
Simler said last year's event was sold out and hit a fundraising record; she hopes the same will happen this year.
The event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S001 Route 53, Glen Ellyn. For tickets - which are $80 - or information, visit dupagepads.org or call (630) 682-3846.
The other restaurants taking part in the event are: Abbington Distinctive Banquets, Arbor Vitae, Belgio's Catering, Braxton Seafood Grill, Carlucci, Chicks n' Salsa, David's Restaurant, Grotto, Harry Caray's, Heaven on Seven, The Indian Harvest, Le Chocolat, Maggiano's Little Italy, Meson Sabika, Morton's, Redstone Grill, Starbucks Coffee Company, SugarToad, Suzette's Creperie & Bistro, Tap House Grill and Whole Foods Market.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> A Taste of Hope: Chefs Uniting to End Homelessness</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 5</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $80</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 682-3846 or <a href="http://www.dupagepads.org" target="new">dupagepads.org</a> </p>