April 17, 2023 (Atlanta) – Meals On Wheels Atlanta (MOWA) welcomed more than 300 distinguished guests during its annual spring fundraiser, TASTE, to benefit seniors experiencing food insecurity in Metro Atlanta. TASTE took place at 7 pm on Friday, April 14 at 1705 West, the venue owned by MOWA adjacent to its main offices in West Atlanta. Hosted this year by businesswoman and philanthropist Tanya Sam, TASTE is one of MOWA’s most energetic and unforgettable annual benefits featuring live music, dancing, a live auction, gourmet food from local vendors, craft cocktails and some of Atlanta’s top entrepreneurs and change-makers.
This year’s theme, ‘A Palette of Purpose,’ celebrated the strong regard for philanthropy and volunteerism exemplified by the thriving community of high-achieving young professionals in Atlanta. TASTE recognized eight of Atlanta’s top ‘Tastemakers’ who exemplify these values in their professional and personal lives:
Tajh Crutch, Co-Owner, Wear Brims
Alyssa Fagien, Founder, ATLBucketlist
Pinky Cole, CEO & Founder, Slutty Vegan
Kira Oliver, Luxury Real Estate Agent
Narcis Alikhani, Vice President of Marketing, Atlanta Hawks
Maegan Moguel, Senior Manager of Culture Marketing, Red Bull
Yunice Emir, Director of Corporate Communications & Experiential Partnerships, Moet Hennessy USA
Justin Keys, Global Events Manager, Georgia-Pacific
Additional esteemed guests included Kash Doll, who was this year’s featured entertainment, Cameron and Lauren Hamilton of Netflix’s Love is Blind, Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Marlo Hampton, Sheree Whitfield and Sanya Richards-Ross, ‘Sistas’ Star Crystal Renee Hayslett and others.
MOWA’s mission is to provide aid to Atlanta’s home-bound seniors who are encountering food insecurity by providing more than 1,800 nutritious and delicious meals per day via weekly meal deliveries and operating an emergency food pantry, pet pantry and home repair program. MOWA depends wholly on funding from its generous donors and sponsors, making philanthropy and volunteerism two vital elements of its ability to feed Atlanta’s disadvantaged seniors.
“We are incredibly grateful to our benefactors for their help not only with TASTE, but their constant hard work making sure our seniors receive daily meals, groceries and companionship,” says MOWA CEO Charlene Crusoe-Ingram. “MOWA could not operate without the generosity of our donors and volunteers, and this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our mission with the next generation of philanthropists.”
This semi-formal event was also be a celebration of Atlanta’s deliciously diverse culinary scene. TASTE featured nine food vendors: Slutty Vegan, Delilah’s Everyday Soul, Bazati, C. Parks Catering, Canoe, Chai Yo Modern Thai, Dennis Dean Catering and Endulge Cupcakes. Craft cocktails and spirits were also provided throughout the evening courtesy of Deleon Tequila, Tito’s Vodka, Scofflaw Brewing and Moet Hennessy.
About Meals On Wheels Atlanta
Meals On Wheels Atlanta (MOWA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1965 with the mission to combat food insecurity and hunger for home-bound seniors in Metro Atlanta. MOWA relies on a strong corps of volunteers to deliver nutritious and high-quality meals to our most vulnerable neighbors, made with care by MOWA’s in-house culinary team. In addition to providing more than 1,800 meals per day via weekly delivery services, MOWA operates a free emergency food pantry, pet food pantry, home repair program and companionship. MOWA is located at 1705 Commerce Dr. NW, Atlanta, Ga., 30318. Learn more at @mowatl on Instagram or www.mowatl.org.