Each year, the Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) presents the Sweet Charity fundraiser, a social event that features networking and a dessert competition among some of the area's most noted pastry and dessert chefs. Since the 2021 event cannot take place in person due to COVID-19, the CCCF will instead present a series of virtual programs, titled "Food for Thought: Sweet Charity."
According to Beth Krallis, CCCF marketing and communications officer, Sweet Charity used to be held at the Whitford County Club in Exton. "It was always in the spring - at the end of March on a Monday night," she said, noting the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic. "People came and networked and we had dessert vendors doing a contest where people could taste all of the desserts and vote for their favorite. The contestants were local restaurants and bakeries."
As part of this year's event, a program will be held at noon on Zoom every other Tuesday in March beginning on March 2. The discussions are free and open to the public, and registraion is required.
On March 2, Wendy Gaynor, director of food security at the Chester County Food Bank, and Jodi Gauker, executive director of Lundale Farm, will speak on food security and address questions like, "Why are my neighbors going hungry?"
On March 16, people will learn where their food comes from during a discussion about growing and sourcing local food. Panelists will include Terry Brett, CEO of Kimberton Whole Foods; Pete Flynn, owner of Pete's Produce Farm; and Emily Kovach, editor-in-chief of PA Eats.
"On Zoom, we will stream a prerecorded talk in the beginning to highlight the issue we will be discussing," Krallis explained. "Then, the panelists will be live."
The second part of the series will help raise funds to support the work of the CCCF. The public is encouraged to purchase a Sweet Charity Golden Ticket, which can be exchanged for four gourmet desserts from Carlino's Market, located at 128 W. Market St., West Chester. Desserts can be eaten at home or at Carlino's.
Tickets should be reserved by Thursday, March 18. Guests can use their Golden Ticket from Thursday, March 25, through Saturday, March 27. In the spirit of Sweet Charity's past competitions, guests will be asked to vote for their favorite dessert and join the final Zoom discussion on Tuesday, March 30, to discover the winner and learn tips from the executive pastry chef, Jessica Perez. Dessert-themed prizes will also be awarded.
For more information, event registration and ticket information, readers may visit http://www.chescocf.org/sweet-charity.
The CCCF helps people and businesses manage their charitable giving. According to http://www.chescocf.org, the foundation "connects people who care with causes that matter so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever." The foundation holds nearly $70 million in trust and annually awards $3.5 million in grants and scholarships.
For more information, readers may visit the website or http://www.facebook.com/ChesCoCF.
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