Annual Taste of the North fundraiser is Thursday

North Shore restaurants are pairing up next week with local agency North Shore Horizons to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its annual Taste of the North fundraiser.

Taste of the North is planned and held by members of the North Shore Horizons board and staff. Former volunteer Marj Carole came up with the idea for the event. Taste of the North serves food donated by local restaurants and food establishments, including: Betty’s Pies, Black Woods Grill & Bar, Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen, Kamloops at Superior Shores, Lighthouse at Emily’s, Louise’s Place, New Scenic Café, Northern Lights Café, Rustic Inn Café, Super One Foods, Vanilla Bean Café, and Viking Legends.

A silent auction is part of the event’s attraction as well, offering items like artwork, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, and gas cards that are donated by area businesses, artists, and residents. Musician Hannah Rey, a Two Harbors High School graduate, will also perform at the event. The event will also honor an agency or an individual with the Community Impact Award for their outstanding work to help victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Chair of the North Shore Horizons board Katya Gordon said people attend Taste of the North to enjoy food and spend time with friends while at the same time supporting a cause they care about. North Shore Horizons advocates for the prevention and end of domestic violence and sexual assault and assists people who have experienced or have been affected by it.

“People are passionate about this,” Gordon said.

The proceeds of tickets for the fundraiser go towards funding North Shore Horizons programs and initiatives like the 24-hour volunteer run hot line, transitional and permanent supportive housing units, support groups, counseling, and legal aid. The agency also has a satellite office in Silver Bay. North Shore Horizons executive director Tara Golden says the event helps get the message out there about what the agency does. She added that she’s amazed by how much the community endorses the agency.

“I just hear compliments about the work we do and the community is so invested in our agency. They care about domestic violence and ending it and helping people who are homeless and making sure their basic needs are being met,” she said. “It’s awesome working here.”

North Shore Horizons hopes to raise about $10,000 from the fundraiser this year. The event usually reaches full capacity.

“People are worried about tickets selling out,” Golden said.

Taste of the North will be held next Thursday, April 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling 834-5924 or emailing info@northshorehorizons.org.

Tags: north shore horizons