Maricopa enjoys a “Grape Escape” for local F.O.R. food bank

The Maricopa community came out to support its local food bank by attending the inaugural Grape Escape event Thursday night at The Duke, raising $6,500 for F.O.R. Maricopa’s food bank.

Attendees were treated to hors d’oeurves, live music, a wine glass and a door prize ticket.

Three tables provided six different wines to sample. Each table was sponsored by a different business. Factor 1 Studios, owned by Matt Adams, hosted a Da Vinci Chianti and Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

H & N Landscaping and Nursery sponsored the Mirrasou Chardonnay and Louis M. Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon table

The third table, sponsored by Wells Fargo, included a White Haven Sauvignon Blanc and an Ecco Domani Merlot.

Brooklyn Boys, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort and Casino and the event hosts provided the door prizes.

Event host Nancy Smith welcomed the crowd and thanked the businesses for their overwhelming support. She thanked both the table sponsors and the Gold Sponsors, Sheriff Chris Vasquez and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort and Casino, who provided a bottle of wine for each guest to take home.

Primary sponsor Courtny Tyler of State Farm Insurance told the crowd, “How wonderful to have an event like this. Due to the current economic downturn, the food bank has 90 families or more regularly coming to the food bank. I challenge businesses to donate more pounds of food than State Farm for the upcoming food drive.”

F.O.R. Director Wendy Webb added, “Thank you for all coming out; this is truly remarkable.”

She explained that when the food bank opened 18 months ago, it started with 10 families. She anticipates the need to be great this holiday season (the food bank will need about 200 turkeys) and asked that the community make a financial contribution at either AmTrust or Wells Fargo banks.

“For every $5 donated (at the banks), people are eligible for a raffle to receive a coupon to Brooklyn Boys,” Webb said.

“I’m glad to see the community come out so strong to support the food bank,” said Maricopa Mayor Tony Smith. He reiterated the number of families in need, and how proud he is to be part of a community with the giving hearts that Maricopans continually demonstrate.

Nancy Smith added, “Thank you to Joe Raymond from the Silver Spur (The Duke), Carol Zimmerman of Alliance Beverage Distributing, and Amy Jamieson for their help at the event. We have a wonderful community of businesses in Maricopa that care for Maricopa and the food bank and work hard to support our community.”

Food donations can be made to F.O.R Maricopa, and monetary contributions can be made at AmTrust Bank or Wells Fargo Bank.

Raffle ticket prizes were provided by Adventure Bootcamp, Burns Clean Team, Greg and Nick at Hair Focus, Fahrenheit Tanning, Gina D’Abella, Coupon Sense, Arbonne, Pretty Girly Things, Water and Ice, Avon, H & N Landscaping, Arena Grill, Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, and artists Herman Neuberger, Gary Crunk and Dave Wihelsen.

Silent auction items were donated by Poco Loco, Tommy Bahama, Desert Star Gymnastics, the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, Amy Jamieson Photography, Karate Joe & Professor Ward’s World Champion Training Centers, Murder In… Mystery Dinner, LoveLee Skin, Copa Dental, Alliance Distributing, H & N Landscaping, Stormin’ Norman Pest Control and Rug Runner Carpet Cleaning.

Photo by Carrie Vargas