Taste of the Valley Partners with the Community Table
Those who chow down at next summer’s Taste of the Valley will be satisfying their own appetites while also meeting the needs of the truly hungry. The Community Table is the new charitable beneficiary of the annual one-day festival, which features numerous local food vendors and has traditionally drawn thousands of eaters to Phoenix Park. The United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley said last fall that it would no longer take part in the event, which began in 2007 as the Taste of Eau Claire. That left the primary sponsor, the Eau Claire Press Co., without a nonprofit to collaborate with. Rachel Keniston, executive director of the Community Table, which provides thousands of hot meals to the needy each year, said the organization was excited to become part of Taste of the Valley. “Food’s our most basis need,” Keniston said. “It’s what brings us together as a community, it effects so many aspects of our community life. ... If our celebration of food for fun events can help us provide for those people for whom healthy food isn’t as readily accessible, then it’s a wonderful match.” Keniston said The Community Table will provide at least 100 volunteers to the event, which is scheduled for June 1.
