The 38th Annual Taste of the South Gala will support 14 charities that focus on the recovery and empowerment of individuals battling substance abuse.

2020 Feature Charity

The Bridge

This year’s Feature Charity is The Bridge, located in Dallas, TX.  For over 11 years, The Bridge has facilitated the recovery from homelessness, substance use, and mental health barriers by designing an individualized care and recovery plan for each guest.  They prioritize guest development of employment skills through workforce partnerships with local organizations. Investing in the recovery, job preparedness, and job search skills of their guests ensures readiness for committing to sustainable employment.

2020 DC Charity

Samaritan Inns

In addition to supporting 13 Southern charities that focus on meeting the basic needs of our communities, Taste of the South will also support a D.C.-based charity as a way to give back to our adopted hometown. This year’s selection is Samaritan Inns.  Since their founding in 1985, the mission of Samaritan Inns has been to transform the lives of homeless and at-risk individuals and families who suffer from substance use disorders.  Samaritan Inns moves these individuals along a life-changing pathway from addicted and impoverished to contributing members of society. Their Women with Children Program is the only one of its kind serving this population in Washington, D.C.

INSPIRING GENEROSITY

Home Grown Charities

"Taste of the South was a difference maker for our organization and our local community. We are a small agency doing big things - and this fundraiser gave us room to do more of it! With the funds we received, we we were able to end homelessness for 57 households (including families with children) by placing them into housing.”
SELI PERRY, Mercy House, Taste of the South 2013 Feature Charity
“The gift from Taste of the South enabled West End School to add an entire new grade to the Elementary Day School Program. Needless to say, the enormity of [the gift] has literally helped change the lives of many boys...”
DEBORAH BLAIR, The West End School, Taste of the South 2014 Feature Charity
“[The donation from] the Taste of the South Gala has been a true catalyst for change and increased service to children battling cancer and their families across South Carolina."
CINDY HAY JOHNSON, Camp Happy Days, Taste of the South 2015 Feature Charity
“In the Koinonia Foundation’s 15 years of the existence, this is the single largest and most significant gift we have received. […] We are now in a stronger position to continue with our board directed service expansion, developing much needed new programs for special needs adults.”
JOE ORTIZ, Koinonia Foundation, Taste of the South 2016 Feature Charity
"This [gift] enabled our non-profit to grant 93 college scholarships to children of soldiers killed, wounded, injured or ill in the Global War on Terrorism. [We have] collaborated with many other organizations during the last 17 years [and] TOTS is clearly one of the most professional and effective non-profits it has been our pleasure to be associated with...”
CHUCK DELEOT, Patriot Foundation, Taste of the South 2017 Feature Charity
“[Receiving the TOTS donation] has given our organization an infusion of confidence and solid commitment to be able to deliver our program to the next generation of technology leaders our country is in such dire need of.”
CONNIE HAYNES, Georgia FIRST Robotics, Taste of the South 2018 Feature Charity
"We were incredibly honored to have been selected as the featured charity for Taste of the South 2019. Taste of the South's donation has had a major impact in bringing healthy food to food-insecure Mississippians and we are so appreciative.”
MARTHA ALLEN, Extra Table, Taste of the SOuth 2019 Feature Charity
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“If we should deal out justice only, in this world, who would escape? No, it is better to be generous, and in the end more profitable, for it gains gratitude for us, and love.”
Mark Twain Make a Difference