Help food shelf by eating food
Photo submittedPeople enjoy sampling local fare during last year’s OctoberZest! put on by The Open Door Pantry.
If sipping on a local brew and sampling regional bites of food sounds fun, you’re in for a treat.
The Open Door Pantry is hosting the sixth annual OctoberZest! scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Oct. 8 at Lost Spur Golf Course Event Center, 2750 Sibley Memorial Highway.
Attendees will get to sample food from local restaurants and sample a wide range of local craft beers.
“It’s a casual event; that’s what makes it stand out,” said Nancy Wester, community relations manager. “We’ve got such good variety. It’s almost like a full meal with pulled pork sliders, salads and desert. And, of course, beer.”
Brewers include Bald Man Brewing, Finnegans, Mankato Brewery, Union 32 Brewery and Surly Brewery.
Andiamo Italian Ristorante, Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill & Lounge, Lone Oak Grill, Lost Spur Golf and Event Center, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Piada Italian Street Food, Qdoba Mexican Eats and Union 32 Craft House will be serving select dishes.
Local piano player/singer Mark Mraz will keep the mood cool during the event.
OctoberZest! will also feature two raffles. They have a diamonds and dollars raffle, which includes a $250 RF Moeller Jeweler gift card.
A second raffle includes gift cards from several area restaurants in Eagan, Burnsville and Lakeville.
“People can win dinner a month for at least a year,” Wester said.
The Open Door Pantry is hoping to offset the loss of $75,000 in state funding for its Mobile Pantry program.
Wester said funding was cut during the final day of the Minnesota Legislature for mobile pantry programs statewide.
“It’s a small, very specific program,” Wester said. “But that’s $75,000 we’re not getting.”
They have an admittedly lofty goal, but “we’ve always been really supported by the community when they know our needs,” Wester said.
They’re hoping to raise $50,000 for its Mobile Pantry program, which is a traveling food truck for those who struggle to find the money and transportation necessary to get healthy foods for their families. It reaches more than 1,000-1,500 people a month.
It visits 15 sites per month throughout Dakota County.
“It shortens their commute to get food, and it’s especially helpful in the winter,” Wester said. “It’s important for families who are struggling to make ends meet who have transpiration issues or a limited budget.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. It’s for those 21-and-older. Capacity is at 300, and they would love to fill the Lost Spur event center.
All of the food and beer are donated. A full menu and tickets are available at theopendoorpantry.org.
