Generous Helpings Through the City Annual event to benefit Second Harvest is updated for 2021

Kroger, dedicated to ‘Zero Hunger Zero Waste,’ returns as presenting sponsor

April 8, 2021 – Generous Helpings, the popular annual food & beverage event and fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, will take place Tuesday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s event, which has been adapted in response to COVID-19, will feature multiple three-course dinners taking place simultaneously at restaurants throughout Nashville.

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose one of four locally owned restaurants as their destination for the evening. The chefs at each restaurant will create and serve a three-course meal as diners gather in intimate, socially distanced settings. Participants for this year’s Generous Helpings include: Maneet Chauhan, Chaatable; Evan LoJacono and John Stephenson, Hathorne; Deb Paquette, Jasper’s; and Kyle Patterson, Sinema.  Sinema’s dinner will be specially packaged as a to go meal for those guests who are not yet comfortable dining out.

Tickets are now on sale, available at the event website. Tickets for dinner at Chaatable, Hathorne and Jasper’s are $100 per person, which includes the three-course meal and a welcome cocktail in the restaurant. Tickets for the dinner at Sinema are $75 each, which includes a three-course dinner to go.

Proceeds from Generous Helpings Through the City will benefit Second Harvest’s grocery rescue program, which works to reduce both hunger and food waste by rescuing, sorting and distributing frozen meat, dairy, produce and dry groceries from more than 280 grocery stores and food donors. Last year, Second Harvest distributed 41 million pounds of food including seven million pounds that were rescued through this program.

“The food insecure members of our community have needed us more than ever during this unprecedented year, so this event, while it looks much different, is essential to supporting our grocery rescue program,” said Nancy Keil, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “We will miss our usual tasting event, but love the changes made to this year’s event. It’s a community partnership that allows us to support local restaurants through tickets sales, and the restaurants support Second Harvest through their incomparable time and talent. I love the idea that more than 200 diners will be enjoying a meal across the city, but in smaller, distanced groups so it’s safe for all.”  

Generous Helpings 2021 is sponsored by Kroger and their Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative. 2021 Blue Ribbon sponsors include CMT, Lumina Foods, and Zwanenberg Food Group/Vietti Food Group; and Five Star Sponsors include Ajax Turner Co. Inc., Pinnacle Financial Partners, and Tosh Farms. The beverage partner for Generous Helpings is Ajax Turner Co. Inc. Event committee members for Generous Helpings Through the City are Beth Sachan and Amanda Virgillito.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee:

For more than 40 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has followed its mission of feeding hungry people and finding innovative ways to solve hunger issues in our communities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Harvest distributes food and other products to approximately 460 nonprofit partner agencies in 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, its mission and programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

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