Rochester Restaurants Raise $48,000 for The Salvation Army

Rochester area restaurants helped raise more than $48,000 for their local Salvation Army on March 8 at the Rochester International Event Center during “Taste of the Town,” an annual event celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Nearly 600 locals paid $40 a plate to enjoy delicious fare from 25 local restaurants serving everything from smoothies to barbecue ribs to bread pudding.

Among the restaurants was Regal’s Catering, whose owner, Fred Regal, helped start Taste of the Town a quarter century ago.

“Whatever I start never finishes,” joked Regal, who served event-goers Hungarian beef goulash, wild mushroom and Southwestern black bean soups.

Also present was local restauranteur and celebrated philanthropist Joe Powers, who has also supported Taste of the Town since its humble, $10-a-plate beginnings in the early 1980s. 

In addition to food dollars, more than $9,000 was raised in silent auction items, and another $10,000 donated by event sponsor Sterling State Bank.

Taste of the Town supports The Salvation Army Good Samaritan Health Clinic in Rochester, which meets the medical and dental needs of the area’s underinsured and working poor.  

Additional event supporters included:

- Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) retail merchandising students donated dozens of hours preparing auction items for sale, displaying items, and lending a hand with the auction itself.

-RCTC horticulture students donated their time and some resources to help arrange beautiful rose centerpieces for the 75 tables at the event.

-ABC 6 News gave great web and television support to promote the event.

-Clear Channel Radio, the main radio sponsor, aired many announcements about the event.

-KROC AM and FM generously donated radio promotions.

View photos of the event here.