Taste of the Nation

Wildly popular fundraiser’s mission is to end hunger among children

Have you ever wanted to taste the best Charlotte has to offer? Share Our Strength – a national nonprofit working to end child hunger in America – is serving up a flavorful helping of dishes on April 17 in uptown at a perennial event called Taste of the Nation Charlotte. This savory melting pot (excuse the pun) of the best ingredients in Charlotte’s culinary scene features more than 20 local culinary schools restaurants and chefs.

Bill Shore is the founder and chief executive officer of Share Our Strength. Shore founded Share Our Strength in 1984 with his sister, Debbie, and a $2,000 cash advance on a credit card. Taste of the Nation (http://ce.strength.org/charlotte), a Share Our Strength culinary event, began its Charlotte run 18 years ago with a very simple idea: “No child should go hungry in America.” Since then, Share Our Strength has raised and invested more than $376 million in the fight against hunger.

Meanwhile, Taste of the Nation has traveled to 45 events all over the United States and Canada and has raised more than $70 million for children in need. So while guests are stuffing their faces with amazing food from local favorites such as Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, Cantina 1511 and Mimosa Grill, they are also helping to put food on the table for children across the United States. One hundred percent of the ticket sales for the event go directly to the charity’s fund.

If the great food and great cause aren’t enough to entice you, there will also be silent and live auctions whose prizes include jewelry, art, fine dining gift certificates and a unique culinary experience. If that’s not enough to make your mouth water, then maybe the fun and innovative mixologist bar will.

With everything there is to see, do, drink and eat, it’s probably a good idea to queue up early at the Wells Fargo Atrium and get a head start on the festivities. Guests who purchase $100 preview-hour tickets will be allowed access to the event starting at 6 p.m. For $85, general-event attendees can enjoy the festivities from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. No matter how much you spend – or eat – you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging because every bit of what’s spent helps to ensure that kids grow up big and strong.