By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
"Come hungry, " advises Jenny Bates, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County executive director.
The third annual "Taste of Hays" is a fundraiser for the Ellis County chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's scheduled as a come-and-go-event from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, in the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union Ballroom.
It previously was sponsored by the Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home in Hays. Following its closure, Mary Elizabeth board members suggested the popular event be brought back by BBBS.
So far, 18 local restaurants and food vendors have signed up to provide tasting menus of their most impressive and best-liked dishes. The list includes several new restaurants that have opened within the last few months.
VENDORS ATTENDING INCLUDE:
Cathy's Breads
Chubbs' Que
Fusion by Manuel
Gella's Diner & LB Brewing
Grater Whey
Hickok's Steakhouse
JD's Country Style Chicken
La Curva
Las Hefas Latin Cuisine
Ol' 40 Express Convenience Store
Professor's
Rose Garden Banquet Hall
Six Guys Roasting Co.
The Hilton Garden Grille & Bar
The Local Food Truck
The Union Catering Company
Thirsty's Brew Pub & Grill
Verdant Bistro
"All the restaurants are donating their food and time," Bates said, "so 100 percent of your ticket purchase will come back to Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's really amazing."
Culinary choices range from Latin and Mexican to charcuterie, American standards, boutique breads, and coffee specialties.
When all the menu items are determined, they'll be posted on the local BBBS website, www.4kidsake.org.
Only 300 tickets will be sold.
Tickets, $50 each, are also available for purchase online or in person at the BBBS office, 1200 Main, Suite 102, Hays. Tables of six may be reserved for $500. Those patrons will receive table recognition, additional raffle prize tickets, a special dessert, and will be served by people who are Big/Little matches.
All ticket holders will be entered into random raffle drawings with items donated by local businesses.
Eagle Radio on-air personality Mike Holliday will be the emcee.
There are currently more than 40 Ellis County kids waiting for their Bigs. That's the largest waiting list the organization has had, Bates said. But, it also has 157 current matches, and that's the largest number ever for pairings between local children and caring adults or family volunteers.
The need has grown.
Bates feels families are struggling in a lot of different ways right now and kids are struggling in school.
"Isolation is a big reason we've seen," Bates said. "Kids just aren't feeling connected with peers, with other adults. That's why this is so important, that it gets them connected with someone in our community who can then help them connect in other ways, too."
All of the money raised will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters to help cover the cost of screenings, references and background checks.
"We absorb the cost of that and the time our staff has in making those matches," Bates said. "The program is completely free to all our families that come to us with the Littles and getting them in it. There's also no charge to the volunteers."
Once a match is made, BBBS continues supporting that match throughout its entirety, "working with that Big and Little, and the family of [the Little], making sure it's the best fit and best impact for that child.
"We're finding out what their needs are and getting them connected with resources and setting goals," she said.
The average match length in Ellis County is 30 months. Right now, there are matches that were made just this month while the longest match is 18 years.