On Monday, October 16, South on Main and Chef Matt Bell are set to host this year’s No Kid Hungry Dinner. Bell, along with are group of all-star chefs, including Ben Brainard of Yellow Rock Concepts, Jason Campbell of Mary Eddy’s Kitchen x Lounge (Oklahoma City), John Currence of City Grocery Restaurant Group (Oxford), and Anthony Valinoti of Deluca’s Pizzeria plan to make the evening one to remember and raise a lot of money to help end childhood hunger.
For Bell, his involvement with No Kid Hungry has now spanned several years.
“I have been hosting NKH for four years and had my eye on working with No Kid Hungry for many years before the restaurant opened. John Currence had done work with them, and I have always admired his commitment to local and national causes. Before we opened, Kelly English told me that you must build giving into your restaurant culture from the beginning. We have been with No Kid Hungry since then. Kelly was a guest chef for our dinner last year and John Currence is coming this year. It all comes full circle,” says Bell.
So what can event-goers expect from the evening?
“You will see chefs coming together to show our passion for children’s hunger, and you will definitely see some of the best food served in Akransas paired with amazing wines from our local partners. One thing you almost always see is me crying. No joke,” says Bell.
Since 2014, the dinner has raised over $200,000 to end childhood hunger in Arkansas. It’s a wonderful event for a great cause. Individual tickets cost $175, Healthy Meals Advocate for $500, and tables begin at $2,500. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Cocktail reception starts at 6 p.m.
Dinner and live auction following at 7 p.m.
“About No Kid Hungry Arkansas:
At one point, Arkansas was number one in the country for food insecurity. Now the state has a new distinction: the largest increase in the number of summer meals served to kids facing hunger of any state in the country. In 2013, Arkansas children were served over 4 million meals, an increase of 1.6 million meals over the previous summer. And in 2014, Team No Kid Hungry in Arkansas reached all 75 state counties with free summer meals for the first time in history. Thanks to the efforts of No Kid Hungry Arkansas, the state government’s energetic support, and the dedication of our many partners on the ground, we’re ending hunger in Arkansas. The success of Arkansas is a testament to the No Kid Hungry model — with the right mix of political will, private sector support and community engagement we can end childhood hunger in America today.”