Featured Local News

VINCENT VILLAGE TO HOST FARM TO TABLE EVENT

Seeking to alleviate problems of the homeless, Vincent Village, Inc. – a transitional shelter in Fort Wayne serving homeless families and children since 1989 — is offering a farm to table dinner and auction event titled, “A Place at Our Table.”

Held on Thursday, November 15, from 6:00-10:00 p.m. during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (November 10-18), the unique culinary experience will feature locally sourced ingredients, some of northern Indiana’s most noted chefs, and wine and beer pairings at Thermodyne Foodservice Products, Inc., 2300 Meyer Road, New Haven. All food and beverages are being generously provided by local vendors and prepared by local chefs.

The Vincent Village farm to table dinner/auction is believed to be the first of its scale in the Fort Wayne area. It will pair local and regional chefs with farms and purveyors of locally grown and sourced foods to provide a 15-course meal like no other. Wine, beer and seasonal drinks will enhance the culinary experience along with many interesting and new activities taking place during the evening.

“We at Parkview Field are exited with the opportunity to partner with Vincent Village and provide a benefit to a great number of people and it’s organization through this very unique farm to table event,” said Scott H. Kammerer, executive chef/culinary director at Parkview Field. “Having the availability of products from local farms is exciting in that we know we are helping our community in several ways. All of the produce and the center of the plate items (veal, pork, beef, chicken and duck) are all from local farms, “he continued. “Why use local farms? Typically the produce will lose its degree of flavor over time, so local produce will provide the best flavor profile and a higher nutritional integrity. Also, I believe many if not all of the produce is organic. And since we are using local produce that is being harvested in season, the items on the menu will be set around the warm, earthy flavors of the fall.

“Another unique item for this event is the use of the Thermodyne test kitchens,” said Kammerer. “Much of the final preparations will be made at the facility, which is very different than many caterings where everything is made and brought in complete. This will allow all of us the opportunity to deliver a much higher quality product. We expect to prepare and serve one course every 10 minutes for the duration of the evening. All the courses will be served tapas style (small portions), which is designed to encourage conversation.”

Tickets are $100 per person and can be obtained by calling Cynthia at (260) 456-4172 ext. 222 or crossberry@vincentvillage.org. For more information contact Barb A’Hearn at (260)-705-5235 or barb.ahearn@gmail.com. You can also visit the Website at www.vincentvillage.org.

Located at 2827 Holton Ave., Vincent Village serves homeless families with children, providing shelter, care, advocacy, affordable housing and supportive services as these families build strength and strive to become independent, productive members of the community. Rooted in a belief in God and under the direction of a diverse board, Vincent Village seeks to affirm the dignity of life for all served. When a homeless family needs help Vincent Village is there to offer a hand up not a hand out.

Vincent Village opened as the Vincent House Transitional Shelter on December 19, 1989, and immediately began serving the needs of homeless families with children in a renovated convent belonging to St. Hyacinth’s Church. Since that time, Vincent House has served approximately 700 families and developed additional programs to meet the needs of homeless families with children.

A by-product of Vincent House’s efforts to provide post-transitional affordable rental housing has been the transformation of the once disinvested, deteriorating neighborhood surrounding the original shelter. Vincent House purchased and renovated 32 vacant and abandoned single-family homes in the neighborhood to create an Affordable Housing Program. These furnished homes, occupied by “graduates” of the Vincent House Transitional Shelter Program, make up a friendly, supportive neighborhood community. To more accurately reflect this expanded role in housing and neighborhood revitalization, Vincent House, Inc. changed its name to Vincent Village, Inc. in 2008.

The Waynedale News Staff
Latest posts by The Waynedale News Staff (see all)

The Waynedale News Staff

Our in-house staff works with community members and our local writers to find, write and edit the latest and most interesting news-worthy stories. We are your free community newspaper, boasting positive, family friendly and unique news. > Read More Information About Us > More Articles Written By Our Staff